Joseph Rankin facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Joseph Rankin
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Wisconsin's 5th district
In office March 4, 1883 – January 24, 1886
Preceded by	Edward S. Bragg
Succeeded by	Thomas R. Hudd
Chair of the Democratic Party of Wisconsin
In office January 1, 1878 – January 1, 1880
Preceded by	Wendell A. Anderson
Succeeded by	Alfred C. Parkinson
Member of the Wisconsin Senate from the 15th district
In office January 1, 1877 – January 1, 1883
Preceded by	John Schuette
Succeeded by	John Carey
Member of the Wisconsin State Assembly
In office January 2, 1871 – January 4, 1875
Preceded by	Carl H. Schmidt
Succeeded by	Reuben D. Smart
Constituency	Manitowoc 3rd district
In office January 2, 1860 – January 7, 1861
Preceded by	William Aldrich
Succeeded by	Jabez L. Fobes
Constituency	Manitowoc 1st district
Personal details
Born	(1833-09-25)September 25, 1833 Passaic, New Jersey, U.S.
Died	January 24, 1886(1886-01-24) (aged 52) Washington, D.C., U.S.
Resting place	Evergreen Cemetery, Manitowoc, Wisconsin
Political party	Democratic
Spouse	Amelia S. Borcherdt
Children	Jennie & Joseph
Military service
Allegiance	United States
Branch/service	United States Volunteers Union Army
Years of service	1862–1865
Rank	Captain, USV
Unit	27th Reg. Wis. Vol Infantry
Battles/wars	American Civil War Siege of Vicksburg Little Rock Campaign Camden Expedition Mobile Campaign

Joseph Rankin (September 25, 1833 – January 24, 1886) was an American businessman and Democratic politician. He was a leader in Wisconsin politics during the 1800s. He served as a U.S. Representative for Wisconsin, which means he helped make laws for the country.

Before that, he spent 11 years in the Wisconsin Legislature, which is like the state's law-making body. He represented Manitowoc County and was also the head of the Democratic Party of Wisconsin.

Early Life and Business Career

Joseph Rankin was born in Passaic, New Jersey, in 1833. When he was a child, his family moved to New York. He went to school at the Homer Academy in Cortland County, New York.

In 1854, he moved to Mishicot, in Manitowoc County, Wisconsin. He first worked in the lumber business. Soon after, he opened his own general store, selling many different kinds of goods.

Rankin quickly became involved in his community. He was elected to the Manitowoc County Board of Supervisors. This group helps manage the county. In 1859, he was elected to the Wisconsin State Assembly for the first time. This was his first step into state politics.

Service in the Civil War

In 1861, Joseph Rankin left his political job. The American Civil War was starting across the southern United States. Rankin immediately volunteered to serve in the war. He joined a group of volunteers called the "Manitowoc Guards."

He was first chosen as a lieutenant, but later, the company voted for someone else. Instead, the Governor asked Rankin to help recruit new soldiers. He successfully gathered a new group of volunteers in Manitowoc. These volunteers then elected him as their captain.

Rankin led his company to Camp Sigel in Milwaukee. There, they became Company D in the 27th Wisconsin Infantry Regiment. This regiment officially joined the army in March 1863. They were sent to Columbus, Kentucky, to fight in the western part of the war.

The 27th Wisconsin Infantry was soon ordered to Vicksburg, Mississippi. On their way, they fought in the Battle of Yazoo City. They then joined the XVI Corps during the Siege of Vicksburg. This was a very important battle.

After Vicksburg was captured, Rankin's regiment joined the VII Corps. They took part in the "Little Rock campaign" in Arkansas. They also joined the Camden Expedition in southern Arkansas. This was part of a larger plan to control important rivers.

Later, they fought in the Battle of Jenkins' Ferry. For the rest of 1864, they guarded areas in central Arkansas. In February 1865, they joined the "Mobile Campaign." They traveled by boat to Mobile Bay. On March 27, 1865, they helped in the Battle of Spanish Fort.

After the siege, they moved through Mobile, Alabama. They helped secure the area as Confederate forces surrendered. Finally, they were sent to Texas. They stayed there until August, when they were officially released from military service.

Political Career After the War

After the Civil War, Joseph Rankin returned to Manitowoc. He was elected as the city attorney, a legal role for the city. He held this job until 1871.

In 1870, he was elected to the Wisconsin State Assembly again. He was re-elected three more times, serving until 1874. He then took a break from the Assembly.

In 1876, he was elected to the Wisconsin State Senate. He represented the 15th Senate district, which included all of Manitowoc County. He served three terms, which lasted six years. During this time, he worked on important committees, especially those dealing with railroads and legal matters. He was known for being good at following rules in meetings, but he didn't give many speeches.

While serving in the Senate, he was also chosen as the chairman of the Democratic Party of Wisconsin. He held this important role in 1878 and 1879.

In 1882, Rankin was involved in changing the boundaries of political districts in Wisconsin. He was accused of drawing the new 5th congressional district to help himself get elected to the U.S. House of Representatives. He said he wasn't planning to run for Congress. However, at a meeting in Manitowoc, his name was put forward. After many votes, he was chosen as the Democratic candidate.

Rankin easily won the election in November because his district was strongly Democratic. He was re-elected in 1884. He served in the Forty-eighth and Forty-ninth Congresses.

Soon after he started his work in Congress, Joseph Rankin became very ill. He passed away on January 24, 1886, in Washington, D.C.. He was buried in Evergreen Cemetery in Manitowoc, Wisconsin.

See also

• List of United States Congress members who died in office (1790–1899)