Rankin was born on 25 December 1842 at Liverpool, England. He was the eldest son of Robert Rankin (1801–1870), a timber merchant and shipowner, and his wife Ann (née Strang) Ranking (1812–1875).[1] His sister, Ann Rankin, was the first wife of David MacIver, MP.[2]
His paternal grandparents were James Rankin and Helen (née Ferguson) Rankin. His uncle, Alexander Rankin, was a Scottish timber merchant and shipowner. His maternal grandfather was John Strang, a prominent Scottish merchant of St. Andrews, New Brunswick. Through his aunt Agnes Strang (wife of Allan Gilmour), he was a first cousin of Sir John Gilmour, 1st Baronet.[2]
He was a senior partner of the family timber and shipbuilding company, Pollok, Gilmour and Company, founded by his great-uncles, John Pollok and Arthur Pollok.[3] The Rankin Constitutional Club, in Corn Square, Leominster, is named after him.[4]
Personal life
On 12 January 1865, he married Annie Laura Bushell (c. 1843–1920), the daughter Christopher Bushell JP (1810–1886) and Margaret (née Easton) Bushell of Hinderton Hall, Cheshire.[5] Together, they had four sons and four daughters, including:[2]
Annie Beatrice Rankin (1866–1943), who married Claude Arthur Cuthbert, son of William Cuthbert, in 1887.[2]
Margaret Ethel Rankin (d. 1949), who married Capt. Thomas Raymond Symons in 1888.[2]