WILLIAM L.RANKIN, farmer; P.O. Athens; son of James and Anna (Dills) Rankin; was born in Harrison Co., Ky., Sept. 15, 1816, and, in 1833, came with his parents to Illinois, locating where he now lives, and where his parents died -- his mother, Oct. 27, 1858, and his father, Dec. 1, 1861. He is the youngest of a family of six, three only of whom are now living, and has lived upon the old homestead since 1833. He has twice married; first, to Miss Mary E. Sudduth, of Sangamon Co., Sept. 22, 1842; she died July 15, 1859, leaving four children - James T., born Aug. 2, 1843; Caroline (now Mrs. H.C. Hurt), born Nov. 14, 1844; Benjamin C. (who died in the army during the late war), born March 18, 1846, died May 4, 1856; Jason L., born Sept. 24, 1855, and now living in Page Co., Iowa. March 29, 1860, he married Miss Susan J., daughter of Elisha and Lucinda C. Glasscock Primm, by whom he has six children living - Anna M., born April 27, 1863; George M., born June 4, 1865; William L., born Jan. 8, 1868; Lewis T., born March 28, 1870; Lucinda C., born Oct. 6, 1972; Herman P., born July 31, 1877. Mr. Rankin has followed farming and stock-dealing thus far through life and is one of the prominent and well to-do citizens of the county. He owns 1,800 acres in this county, including the homestead farm, also 3,000 acres in Missouri, and 7,080 acres in Iowa. He is one of the solid men of Central Illinois, and is enterprising and benevolent. He has always taken an active part in all matters pertaining to the general good of the community. He is now occupied in looking after the interests and welfare of his family and property. He resides near Athens, and has one of the finest farm residences in Central Illinois. His present high position as citizen and a capitalist is wholly the result of his uprightness, energy, industry, and good financiering in handling stock, in which business he has been largely engaged for many years.