Albert William Rankin

Albert died of pneumonia and cancer in Vanderburgh County, IN on 6 Oct 1969. Cora died of cancer in her home on 13 July 1980. Both are at rest in the Hadden Cemetery in Carmi. As a boy, Albert assisted his father in carpentry work and wallpaper hanging. After he and Cora were married, he worked as a gandy dancer on the C.C.C. and St. Louis Railroad, working his way up to car inspector. He worked there until 1916. He also worked at Gara #1 coal mine and on the Frisco Railroad. During 1916-1918, he worked at the I.C. Railroad switching cars and as a conductor. He traveled with the Frisco Railroad helping to set up roundhouses for the railroad. He and Cora lived briefly in Harrisburg, IL where their son, Charles, was born. In 1920, they moved to Sapulpa, OK then in 1923 to Osage, OK where Albert farmed as well being a switchman for the railroad. The railroad then transferred him to Monet, MO. They lived in the small town of Dixon, MO where Cora gave birth to the son, A.J., in 1924. Albert and Cora moved to Evansville, IN in 1925 where Cora ran a general grocery store until they lost it in the depression of 1929, having extended too much credit. They lived on First Ave. in Evansville on five acres where their last six children were born. They moved to Millersburg Road where Albert farmed his acreage as well as rented ground. Albert worked for the C&EI Railroad as a switchman until he retired in 1956. He bought a farm in Elberfeld, IN in 1945. This farm had 114 acres. He farmed there raising soybeans, corn, wheat, and popcorn until about 1966. He also had milk cows, chickens, pigs, and goats. He sold that farm and bought a 121 acre farm in Boonville, IN. He raised the same commodities until his death. After his death, Cora moved to Princeton, IN in 1972 selling the farm. She died there in 1980.