The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.
DAVID RANKIN: In the late 19th century he began investing in land in northwestern Missouri, himself locating at Tarkio.
He bought up hundreds and thousands of acres, largely with borrowed capital until he became the greatest farmer in the U.S., if not in the world.
At the Columbian Exposition at Chicago, he exhibited a picture of six thousand acre corn field. He later incorporated his farming business as "The Rankin Farms."
Upon death he left an estate of over four million dollars, all made by farming and the rise in land values.
The man who was most responsible for Mr. Rankin's success-Mr. Robert Moir, formerly of Oquawka, backed Mr. Rankin to the limit, furnishing the capital needed by him in his vast real estate transactions (To be continued)
1911 History of Henderson County