History of Amity, (Orange County) New York United States of America

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William Brodshaw Rankin, educationist, was born in Green county, Tenn., Sept. 3, 1825; son of Anthony and Margaret (Grey) Rankin; grandson of William and Sarah (Moore) Rankin, natives of Pennsylvania who went to East Tennessee in 1780, and a descendant of one of three brothers, James, John and Hugh Rankin, who came from Ireland to Philadelphia in 1721; and of John Grey who came from Scotland about 1800. He was brought up on a farm and learned black-smithing. He was graduated at Amherst, A.B., 1852, A.M., 1855.; was married at Amity, N.Y., Aug. 18, 1852, to Jane, daughter of Daniel and Alletta (Edstill) Carpenter; was principal of Rhea academy, Greenville, Tenn., 1852?54; president of Greenville college, 1854?58; professor of mathematics, Tusculum college, 1859?61; was exiled in 1861, and lived in New York state, 1864?66. He canvassed the state for Lincoln and Johnson in 1864; was principal of the graded schools of Wellsville, N.Y., 1864?66; returned to Tennessee and was ordained Presbyterian minister in 1866; was president of Washington college, Tennessee, 1866?74; aided in organizing the public school system of Tennessee; was superintendent of public instruction for Greene county; assisted Dr. Sears in the distribution of the Peabody school fund and in establishing schools for freedmen under the U.S. government, and was district superintendent of the work of the American Bible society in Tennessee and Texas, 1874?98. He served as financial agent of Washington college, 1898?1900, and on June 1, 1900, became general secretary of the John C. Martin educational fund. He made his residence in Austin, Texas, and had his office in New York city. He received the honorary degree of D.D. from Washington college, Tennessee, 1893.

From: Twentieth Century Biographical Dictionary of Notable Americans, Johnson, Rossiter, editor

History of Amity, (Orange County) New York

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