Rankin, Gratton M.

Passed: 1934-12-13

Age: 76

Source:

Death Notice: 1934-12-13

Obituary Date:

Information: G.M. RANKIN BURIAL FRIDAY - FUNERAL SERVICES FOR G.M. RANKIN HELD LAST FRIDAY.  BURIAL IN OTTERBEIN CEMETERY. - Funeral services for G. M. Rankin, 77, were held last Friday under the direction of Rev. Fred Slaughter and burial was in the Otterbein cemetery. Mr. Rankin died on Thursday morning at eight o'clock from injuries received the previous Saturday when he was thrown from his wagon while on his way home from Ripley, when his team of horses became frightened and ran away.        No hope was entertained for his recovery from the time he was injured and he never regained consciousness.  The blow on the back of his head caused his death.      Gratton M. Rankin, son of T. J. and M. F. Rankin was born November 24, 1858 at Grass Run, Jackson county, (Va.) now West Virginia, and died at his home on Stone Ridge, December 12, 1934, aged 76 years, 18 days.  He was united in marriage to Evelyn Stewart on November 26, 1890. He is survived by his wife and the following children:  Edna Lette of Poca, Dora King of Nitro, Walter of Wheeling and Marie Wandling of Kenna. One son, Clark, died in infancy.  He is also survived by one brother, George W. Rankin, of Kenna, ten grandchildren and a host of relatives and friends to mourn their loss.      Grat, as he was commonly known by his friends, grew to manhood and lived on the farm of his childhood days until a few years ago when he purchased the Wesley Harpold farm on Stone Ridge, and there built for himself and family, a comfortable and beautiful home in which he took great pride.  It was constructed and beautifully finished by the work and skill of his own hands.      He mastered the mechanics of carpentry when a young man, and he has followed this occupation until late years.  Since, he has devoted most of his time to his farm and home, in which he took much pride and interest.      Throughout Jackson and adjoining counties stand many nice homes which some owner takes much pride in and which was skillfully constructed by his masterful mind and skillful hands.  These homes represent a real memorial to Grat.  He will be greatly missed by his many friends and neighbors, for he was always ready to lend a helpful hand, or tools to help some friend, or to give freely of his advice and knowledge along lines of his chosen occupation.  He also will be remembered for his friendliness at home, and among his many friends, and that cheerful call from his lawn or porch to some passer by, to ""Come in"" or ""Stop awhile, you have plenty of time"" to the expression ""Stay all night with us"".  These many traits of life and many more he had, truly represents what the poet must have had in mind when he wrote these words:  ""Let me live in the house by the side of the road and be a friend to man."