- Alexander Rankin
Alexander Rankin (
December 31 1788 –April 3 1852 ) was a Scottish-born merchant and political figure inNew Brunswick . He represented Northumberland County in theLegislative Assembly of New Brunswick from 1827 to 1852.He was born and educated in Mearns parish, the son of James Rankin and Helen Ferguson. At the age of 18, he was hired as a clerk by a
Glasgow firm that dealt in timber and was sent with James Gilmour toNew Brunswick to establish a branch of the firm on theMiramichi River there. They established a small community there called Gretna Green (later Douglastown) as well as stores, wharves and asawmill . Besides exporting timber, they also sold good supplied from Scotland. In 1825, the operation suffered extensive damage in theMiramichi Fire . However, they were able to rebuild quickly with the help of the parent company. Rankin also became involved in timber operations at Bathurst, Dalhousie and Campbellton. In politics as well as in his timber operations, Rankin frequently found himself competing withJoseph Cunard . In elections in 1837 and 1843, Rankin supportedJohn Ambrose Street against candidates supported by Cunard. Gilmour retired from the business in 1842, selling his interest to Rankin. Rankin was named to the province's Executive Council in 1847. With Cunard, he was a commissioner for lights in theGulf of Saint Lawrence and served on the board of health for the region. For many years, he also served asjustice of the peace . Rankin died unexpectedly inLiverpool during a visit toEngland at the age of 63.References
* [http://www.biographi.ca/009004-119.01-e.php?&id_nbr=4152 Biography at the "Dictionary of Canadian Biography Online"]
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