Arthur E. Rankin (July 24, 1888 – December 7, 1962) was an American teacher and politician. Born near

Dows, Iowa Dows is a city in Franklin and Wright counties of the U.S. state of Iowa. The population was 521 at the time of the 2020 census. The town was incorporated on May 3, 1892. History Dows got its start in the year 1880, following construction of ...

, in Morgan Township,

Franklin County, Iowa Franklin County is a County (United States), county located in the U.S. state of Iowa. As of the 2020 United States census, 2020 census, the population was 10,019. The county seat is Hampton, Iowa, Hampton. The county was formed on January 15, ...

, Rankin graduated from Dows High School. He served in the

United States Navy The United States Navy (USN) is the naval warfare, maritime military branch, service branch of the United States Department of Defense. It is the world's most powerful navy with the largest Displacement (ship), displacement, at 4.5 millio ...

during

World War I World War I or the First World War (28 July 1914 – 11 November 1918), also known as the Great War, was a World war, global conflict between two coalitions: the Allies of World War I, Allies (or Entente) and the Central Powers. Fighting to ...

. Rankin received his bachelor's degree from

Drake University Drake University is a private university in Des Moines, Iowa, United States. The University offers over 140 undergraduate and graduate programs, including professional programs in business, education, Legal education, law, and pharmacy. Drake U ...

in 1914 and his master's degree from the

University of Iowa The University of Iowa (U of I, UIowa, or Iowa) is a public university, public research university in Iowa City, Iowa, United States. Founded in 1847, it is the oldest and largest university in the state. The University of Iowa is organized int ...

in 1931. Rankin taught in rural schools and was principal and superintendent of schools. From 1947 to 1951, Rankin served in the

Iowa House of Representatives The Iowa House of Representatives is the lower house of the Iowa General Assembly, the upper house being the Iowa Senate. There are 100 seats in the Iowa House of Representatives, representing 100 single-member districts across the state, formed ...

and was a Republican. From 1958 to 1962, Rankin served on the

Hampton, Iowa Hampton is a city in and the county seat of Franklin County, Iowa, United States. The population was 4,337 at the time of the 2020 United States census, 2020 census. Geography According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a tota ...

City Council. He then served as mayor of Hampton until his death. Rankin died in a hospital in

Mason City, Iowa Mason City is a city and the county seat of Cerro Gordo County, Iowa, Cerro Gordo County, Iowa, United States. The population was 27,338 in the 2020 United States census, 2020 census. Mason City is known for its musical heritage, a significant ...

, after a short illness.'Last rites for local mayor, A.E. Rankin,' The Hampton Times (Iowa), December 10, 1962, pg. 1

Notes

1888 births 1962 deaths People from Dows, Iowa People from Hampton, Iowa Drake University alumni University of Iowa alumni Educators from Iowa Iowa city council members Mayors of places in Iowa Republican Party members of the Iowa House of Representatives 20th-century members of the Iowa General Assembly {{Iowa-politician-stub