Annals of Iowa

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Unless otherwise noted, biographies submitted by Dick Barton.

ROLLIN V. ANKENY was born at Somerset, P., May 22, 1830; he died Des Moines, Iowa, Dec. 24, 1901. He read medicine after his school days, but did not practice it as a profession. He settled on a farm near Freeport, Ill., where he resided several years. He entered the military service in 1861, becoming orderly sergeant, first lieutenant, and captain in the 15th Illinois Infantry. He was present at the battles of Fort Donelson and Shiloh. In 1864 he organized the 142d Illinois Infantry, serving with it until the end of the war, when he was mustered out with the rank of brigadier- general. He was connected with The Freeport Journal for some years, but removed to Des Moines in 1879, where he resided until his death. He had served in various public positions under the general and State governments, becoming especially well known locally from his discharge of the duties of coroner of Polk county for several years.