The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.
DAVID RANKIN: As time went on Mr. Rankin bought more land. He made one venture in Illinois land outside of Henderson County in 1865 buying 5,000 acres of land near Paxton, Ill.
The town Rankin is now located on this land. He planted the whole tract in broom corn and made $200,000 out of the land the first year. He is said to have been the first man in Illinois to put up a windmill.
He represented his county in the General Assembly from 1872-1876 and again from 1882-1884. During his service there, he was chairman of the committee appointed to investigate prison frauds where he did excellent service for the state.
(To be continued)
1911 History of Henderson County