Alexander Rankin
Encyclopedia
Alexander Rankin was a Scottish
-born merchant and political figure in New Brunswick
. He represented Northumberland County
in the Legislative Assembly of New Brunswick
from 1827 to 1852.
He was born and educated in Mearns parish, the brother of Robert Rankin
, and son of James Rankin and Helen Ferguson. His uncles, John Pollok and Arthur Pollok, were cofounders of Pollok, Gilmour and Company
.
At the age of 18, he was hired as a clerk by Pollok, Gilmour and Company
, a Glasgow
firm that dealt in timber, and was sent with James Gilmour
to New Brunswick
to establish a branch of the firm (Gilmour, Rankin and Company) on the Miramichi River
. They established a small community called Gretna Green (later Douglastown
) as well as stores, wharves and a sawmill
. Besides exporting timber, they also sold goods supplied from Scotland. In 1825, the operation suffered extensive damage in the Miramichi Fire
. However, they were able to rebuild quickly with the help of the parent company. Rankin also became involved in timber operations at Bathurst
(Ferguson, Rankin and Company), Dalhousie
and Campbellton
(Arthur Ritchie and Company).
In politics as well as in his timber operations, Rankin frequently found himself competing with Joseph Cunard
. In elections in 1837 and 1843, Rankin supported John 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 the Gulf of Saint Lawrence
and served on the board of health for the region. For many years, he also served as justice of the peace
.
Rankin died unexpectedly in Liverpool
during a visit to England
at the age of 63.
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
-born merchant and political figure in New Brunswick
New Brunswick
New Brunswick is one of Canada's three Maritime provinces and is the only province in the federation that is constitutionally bilingual . The provincial capital is Fredericton and Saint John is the most populous city. Greater Moncton is the largest Census Metropolitan Area...
. He represented Northumberland County
Northumberland County, New Brunswick
Northumberland County , having the largest area of any county in the province, is located in northeastern New Brunswick, Canada.-Geography:Northumberland County is covered by thick forests, whose products stimulate the economy...
in the Legislative Assembly of New Brunswick
Legislative Assembly of New Brunswick
The Legislative Assembly of New Brunswick is located in Fredericton. It was established de jure when the colony was created in 1784, but only came in to session in 1786 following the first elections in late 1785. Until 1891, it was the lower house in a bicameral legislature when its upper house...
from 1827 to 1852.
Robert Rankin (1801-1870)
Robert Rankin was a timber merchant and shipowner. He contributed greatly to the amazing growth of the shipbuilding and timber trades in 19th century Canada.-Early life:...
, and son of James Rankin and Helen Ferguson. His uncles, John Pollok and Arthur Pollok, were cofounders of Pollok, Gilmour and Company
Pollok, Gilmour and Company
Pollok, Gilmour, and Company was a Glasgow-based timber-importing firm established in 1804 by Allan Gilmour, Sr and the brothers John Pollok and Arthur Pollok. The company soon became the leading British firm in the North American timber trade, chiefly through its Miramichi, New Brunswick operations...
.
At the age of 18, he was hired as a clerk by Pollok, Gilmour and Company
Pollok, Gilmour and Company
Pollok, Gilmour, and Company was a Glasgow-based timber-importing firm established in 1804 by Allan Gilmour, Sr and the brothers John Pollok and Arthur Pollok. The company soon became the leading British firm in the North American timber trade, chiefly through its Miramichi, New Brunswick operations...
, a Glasgow
Glasgow
Glasgow is the largest city in Scotland and third most populous in the United Kingdom. The city is situated on the River Clyde in the country's west central lowlands...
firm that dealt in timber, and was sent with James Gilmour
James Gilmour (Miramichi lumber baron)
James Gilmour was a prominent Scottish-born entrepreneur, farmer, school trustee, justice of the peace, militia officer, and co-founder of both Douglastown, New Brunswick, and Gilmour, Rankin & Co....
to New Brunswick
New Brunswick
New Brunswick is one of Canada's three Maritime provinces and is the only province in the federation that is constitutionally bilingual . The provincial capital is Fredericton and Saint John is the most populous city. Greater Moncton is the largest Census Metropolitan Area...
to establish a branch of the firm (Gilmour, Rankin and Company) on the Miramichi River
Miramichi River
The Miramichi River is a Canadian river located in the east-central part of New Brunswick. The river drains into Miramichi Bay in the Gulf of St. Lawrence...
. They established a small community called Gretna Green (later Douglastown
Douglastown, New Brunswick
Douglastown is a Canadian suburban neighbourhood in the city of Miramichi, New Brunswick.Prior to municipal amalgamation on January 1, 1995, Douglastown was an incorporated village in Northumberland County....
) as well as stores, wharves and a sawmill
Sawmill
A sawmill is a facility where logs are cut into boards.-Sawmill process:A sawmill's basic operation is much like those of hundreds of years ago; a log enters on one end and dimensional lumber exits on the other end....
. Besides exporting timber, they also sold goods supplied from Scotland. In 1825, the operation suffered extensive damage in the Miramichi Fire
Miramichi Fire
The Great Miramichi Fire refers to a massive forest fire which devastated forests and communities throughout much of northern New Brunswick in October 1825. It ranks among the three largest forest fires ever recorded in North America. About 1/3 of the homes in Fredericton were destroyed, but the...
. However, they were able to rebuild quickly with the help of the parent company. Rankin also became involved in timber operations at Bathurst
Bathurst, New Brunswick
Bathurst is a Canadian city in Gloucester County, New Brunswick.Bathurst is situated on Bathurst Harbour, an estuary at the mouth of the Nepisiguit River at the southernmost part of Chaleur Bay....
(Ferguson, Rankin and Company), Dalhousie
Dalhousie, New Brunswick
Dalhousie is a Canadian town located in Restigouche County, New Brunswick.- History :Dalhousie is the shire town of Restigouche County and dates European settlement to 1800. The Town of Dalhousie has been through some very distinct periods between its founding in 1825 and today...
and Campbellton
Campbellton, New Brunswick
Campbellton is a Canadian city in Restigouche County, New Brunswick.Situated on the south bank of the Restigouche River opposite Pointe-à-la-Croix, Quebec, Campbellton was officially incorporated in 1889 and achieved city status in 1958.Forestry and tourism are major industries in the regional...
(Arthur Ritchie and Company).
In politics as well as in his timber operations, Rankin frequently found himself competing with Joseph Cunard
Joseph Cunard
Joseph Cunard was a merchant, shipbuilder and political figure in New Brunswick. He represented Northumberland County in the Legislative Assembly of New Brunswick from 1828 to 1833....
. In elections in 1837 and 1843, Rankin supported John Ambrose Street
John Ambrose Street
John Ambrose Street was a lawyer and political figure in New Brunswick. He represented Northumberland County in the Legislative Assembly of New Brunswick from 1833 to 1842 and from 1843 to 1856....
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 the Gulf of Saint Lawrence
Gulf of Saint Lawrence
The Gulf of Saint Lawrence , the world's largest estuary, is the outlet of North America's Great Lakes via the Saint Lawrence River into the Atlantic Ocean...
and served on the board of health for the region. For many years, he also served as justice of the peace
Justice of the Peace
A justice of the peace is a puisne judicial officer elected or appointed by means of a commission to keep the peace. Depending on the jurisdiction, they might dispense summary justice or merely deal with local administrative applications in common law jurisdictions...
.
Rankin died unexpectedly in Liverpool
Liverpool
Liverpool is a city and metropolitan borough of Merseyside, England, along the eastern side of the Mersey Estuary. It was founded as a borough in 1207 and was granted city status in 1880...
during a visit to England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
at the age of 63.