J. E. Rankin

James Eugene Rankin (April 27, 1845 – February 12, 1928) was an American politician and banker. He was a leading financier in North Carolina and president of the American National Bank and the Blue Ridge Building and Loan, both in Asheville, North Carolina. The Charlotte Observer dubbed him "the dean of North Carolina's bankers".

Rankin was the six-time mayor of Asheville and chairman of the Buncombe County Commissioners for 22 consecutive years, plus two additional two terms. He was a director of the Western North Carolina Railroad and a founder and president of the Asheville Power and Light street car company.

Early life Rankin was born on April 27, 1845, in Cocke County, Tennessee. His family moved to Asheville when he was one year old. He was captured by Union Troops in Franklin, North Carolina. For many years he was a cashier for the National Bank of Asheville, followed by being a cashier for The Western Carolina Bank. By 1879, he was the vice president of The Bank of Asheville. In 1891, he formed the Battery Park Bank with Frank Coxe and J. P. Sawyer and served as its cashier. He was president and chairman of the American National Bank. He was also a director of the Western North Carolina Railroad. In 1908 and 1910, he was elected chairman of the Buncombe County Commissioners by public vote. He served as an alderman of Asheville, the city's treasurer, and as the commissioner of public safety. He also served on the board of the Chamber of Commerce. He served on the board of Mission Hospital and the Good Samaritan Mission, the latter of which he helped form. He also served on the Vance Monument Association, to establish a memorial for Governor Zebulon Vance.

On February 11, 1928, newspapers across North Carolina reported that Rankin had been ill for a week and was declining. On February 12, 1928, Rankin died in his home in Asheville at the age of 82 from bronchial pneumonia.

Before his burial, Rankin was laid in state at the Buncombe County Courthouse where thousands came to pay their respects. Rankin's friend, North Carolina's Governor Angus Wilton McLean, said, "Mr. Rankin was an outstanding citizen and a well-known banker. I am very sorry to learn of his death. I had heard of his illness and had hoped he would recover."

Honors One of Asheville's schools was named in his honor while he was still alive. Rankin Street in Asheville was also named in his honor.

The Buncombe County Commissioners passed a resolution in his honor and ordered that a blank page be placed in the minutes in his memory. The Asheville City Council passed a resolution in his memory. The Asheville Clearing House Association passed a resolution honoring Rankin.