California Biographies, San Joaquin Valley

Transcribed by Peggy Hooper

This file is part of the California Genealogy & History Archives
http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~cagha/index.htm

Source:
History of the state of California and biographical record of the San Joaquin 
Valley, California. An historical story of the state's marvelous growth from 
its earliest settlement to the present time.
Prof. James Miller Guinn , A. M.
The Chapman Publishing Co., Chicago 1905
Notes: Missing Page: 865-866,983-984,1175-1176


JOHN RANKINE. When the California Wine Association desired to select a thoroughly qualified 
and experienced man to place in charge of an important undertaking, they chose John Rankine 
and by this act showed the high confidence reposed in his knowledge of viticulture. As manager 
and superintendent of the Wahtoke vineyard for the Great Western Vineyards Company, he 
occupies a position of trust and responsibility. The tracts of the company lie seven miles north 
of Reedley. with mail service furnished by Rural Route No. 2 from Sanger. Approaching the 
grounds at a distance one is impressed with the beauty of the place. The neat white buildings 
present an attractive contrast to the wealth of vines, and when the visitor learns that ail of 
these results have been accomplished within a very brief period he is impressed anew with the 
energy of the manager. 

A native of Scotland. Mr. Rankine was born in Lanarkshire, June 17, 1870, being a son of John 
and Agnes (Hall) Rankine, natives of the same locality. The father followed farm pursuits in 
Scotland until death and since then the mother has continued at the old home place. They 
were the parents of five sons and five daughters, John being the eldest of the family. In 
addition to the advantages offered by common schools, he was sent to school in Glasgow and 
thus acquired an excellent education. Immediately after coming to the United States in 1892 he 
settled in California and secured employment as a laborer in the Cannelita vineyard in Fresno 
county. During 1900 and until 1902 he was in the employ of Mr. Forsythe, having charge of a 
vineyard and packing house, and, having attracted the attention of the company he is now 
with, received an offer of a responsible position in their employ. In 1903 he superintended the 
planting of fifteen hundred acres forming the Wahtoke vineyard. It is said by judges that no 
vineyard in the entire state is planted or conducted upon more modern plans than this, and 
already the owners are beginning to reap the results that usually come to industry and 
intelligence. 

The duties of his position leave Mr. Rankine little leisure for participation in local matters, in 
which, indeed, he takes no part except such as may be represented by the casting of a 
Republican ballot at elections. In fraternal relations he is an enthusiastic Mason and a believer in 
the high principles for which the order stands. Besides belonging to. the Blue lodge at Reedley, 
he is identified with Chapter No. 114, R. A. M., and Commandery No. 3, K. T., Scotland. Since 
coming to Fresno county he has established a home of his own, his wife being Effie Holmes, a 
native of Iowa. In his work as an expert with grapes he has found in his wife an able assistant as 
well as a practical helpmate, and they and their daughter, Agnes, have a comfortable home at 
the Wahtoke vineyard.