Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1914-05-27
{. R. HUSTON DIES
At MECHAVCSBURG.
Well Known as Historian and Was
Treasurer Of Cumberland
County
Special to The TELEGRAPH

Mechanicsburg. Pa, May 27.-E.
Rankin Huston former treasurer of
Cumberland county. an authority on
local history. and for years a painter
and interior decorator, died at his
home here yesterday afternoon after a
long illness. Mr.. Huston had an op-
GRAFTON performed in the Harrisburg
Hospital a short time ago, but never
fully recovered after his return home.
He was In his seventy-f1rst year.
e. Rankin Huston was the son of
William c. and Mary Ann Huston and
was born September %, 1S43 in the
northern part of Silver Spring town
ship, on the farm that for so many
years was in the name of his great
grandfather, Samuel Huston. He
spent the earlier years at his home,
attending the public schools of the
district until he had mastered the COM
mon branches. He then entered the
pennsylvania College of Trade and FL
nance, from which he graduated with
honor in the class of 1867.
On December 4, 1878, he was mar
rled to Mary e. Walters, by the Rev.
w. K. H. Deatrick, pastor of the Re-
formed Church of fredericksburg.
They began their married life in
Mechanicsburg, have always lived there
ana We're prominent factors in it's So
cal and business life. e. Rankin
huston, like his ancestors was DEM
ocrat. On June 6, 1896, his party
nominated him for the office of county
treasurer by majority of 1000 over
MS opponent, and he was elected by a
majority of 374 at the November cleo
tlon. In January, 1900, and again in
lSoS' ne was nominated for the office
OF burgess of Mechanicsburg, but ow-
ing TO other engagements declined the
nomination. He served two terms as
school director from a strong Republi-
can ward and on each occasion was
elected by large majority. He has
frequently represented his party in
county and State conventions and held
many positions of honor and trust,
Mr. Huston was trustee and men,
Der of the Presbyterian Church, the
church of his paternal Scotch-Irish
ancestors. He has been active in fra
ternal and other orders and associa-
lons and was member of Eureka
lo1ge, NO. 3O2, F. and A. NJ; treas
urer of Samuel c. Perkins chapter, No.
years; a member of the grand chapter
OF Pennsylvania; Harrisburg Consis-
tory. A. A. S. R., thirty-second; +;
Mechanicsburg lodge, No. 215, /. o. o.
f.; Melita lodge, No. SO, X. of p: the
grand lodge, K. of p. of PENNSYLVANIA
and treasurer of the Rescue Hook and
Ladder Company, since the year of its
organization, 1885. He was also a
member of the Pennsylvania Histori-
cal Society; Pennsylvania Genealogical
Society; Cumberland County Histori-
cal Society; Scotch-Irish Society of
Pennsylvania, and Pennsylvania So
ciety Sons of the Revolution.
A few years ago Mr.. Huston COM
piled History of the Huston Fami-
lies and Their Descendants" In De-
cember, 1909, he was appointed deputy
sheriff of Cumberland county for
term of four years, which office he
hlled until January of this year.
Mr.. Huston was one o. the first to
interest himself in the memorial tab
lets to the Revolutionary soldiers to be
dedicated next Saturday at Silver
Spring Cemetery. and performed much
of the preliminary work. He furnished
the names of the American soldiers
buried there.
He is survived by a wife and two
., ooHu LolDy, OIL New
port, Pa, and Mrs. James Y. Sieg, of
Harrisburg.
The funeral will take place on Fri
day morning at 10 o'clock with SER
vices at his home, 140 South Main
street. conducted by the Rev. Mr.. Full
ton, of the Presbyterian Church, assist
ed by the Rev. ]. F. Ferguson, of Sill
Yer Spring Church. Burial will be
made at Silver Spring Cemetery.