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This page was updated November 18, 2009
to the web pages of the Rankin Family of the Ark-La-Tex. . .

Once a shelter now a legacy
thanks to Frank E. Rankin
of Texas - Click to enlarge

Frank E. Rankin - son of Dan
and Gertrude Rankin, Sr. - is
leaving a legacy from the Old Homestead
Click plate at left for a legacy of the old homestead
by Frank Rankin of Texas
CLICK HERE for photo of Old Johniken Homestead
Go HERE for a bedstead made from Old Johniken Homestead wood by Frank E. Rankin of Texas

Syrup Making at Pelican ca 1942
L to R: Pop, Henry Welborn, Dan, Charles, Donald, Paul
The Rankin Family (without David
and Margaret) in August, 1961

1915 photo of Candace Johniken
and Frank Rankin
Click for larger view
. . . Our family was large. We were born and raised in eastern Texas, southern Arkansas and northern Louisiana. Our father worked in the oil fields in the early days of the 14 member tribe. Later he decided to work for himself as a farmer and plumber. He was responsible for most of the plumbing work in the south DeSoto Parish area.
There were 12 of us in all with 10 remaining siblings in this photo with Mama. Left to Right: Men are Dan, J.J.(James), Robert (Pablo) behind James, David (in middle, died February 1985 at age 60), Donald, & Charles Rankin (far right, died July 1972 at age 46).In front are Jeannette Rankin Byers, Margaret Rankin Garvey, Mama Rankin, Mary Eleanor Rankin Martin and Addie Ruth Rankin. Missing from this picture are Lewis Rankin (died at age 8 in 1933), and Frank E. Rankin, Jr.(died just before his 41st birthday in January 1960. PHOTO: April 1968

Click thumbnails for larger view
These photos were made in April, 1968

Cousins & Nephews
L.to R: Otis and Frank Whiddon
James H. (Jimmy) Rankin, Mitch Newstadt
D. Allen Rankin, Jr., and Bill Martin

We lived on small farms and always had a variety of animals. It wasn't exactly Noah's Ark but we had mules, cows, sheep, chickens, hogs, and domestic animals such as cats and dogs. We never had more than one dog (*see note below) at a time and because we exercised little control over their actions they would chase cars and eventually be killed. We would grieve over the loss and then find a replacement. Cats were more numerous and we might have two or three at a time.The important function of the cats was to rout the rats and mice and we younger children always found the cat when it was bed time. The cat helped us stay warm as we had just one fireplace and there was no heat in the rest of the house.

*NOTE: If photos were seen you might have noticed
three dogs on one 1944 photo of David and Donald.
Sorry, but in four later locations we had only one dog at a time

Click photo to enlarge

Click HERE for Noah's Ark

My siblings and I descended from Frank Elmore Rankin, Sr. and Candace Vermell Johniken. Mama was the daughter of Bragg (B.L.) Johniken and Isabel Gregory. The Johniken and Gregory families, along with the Johnstons and a host of other families, moved to Pelican from Mississippi toward the end of the 1800s.

Click Thumbnails for larger view.
Pop was the son of James Pinckney Rankin, Jr. and Frances (Molly) Hays and was reared near Troup, Texas. He had a number of siblings including Addie Mae, Bondu, Bessie, Jimmye, and a younger brother, Jesse P. Rankin. Photo Left: Aunts Jimmie, Addie Mae, Bondu, with Pop - August 1961.
Go HERE for more Rankin ancestry.

Mamas father, B.L.Johniken, had five siblings. They were Alonzo, and Levy Johniken (Levy died at any early age in Mississippi), Albert and Thomas Johnston. The sister was Frances Journagan (Jernigan).
If you wish to visit the MISSISSIPPI PAGE which is devoted to the descendants of the early settlers of South DeSoto parish, LA, then click

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