Wellington Rankin: His Family, Life and Times (Paperback)

~ (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Review

A very accurate portrait of him, evenhanded and fair. -- Dennis Williams, Tosten, Montana, Second Generation Montana Rancher

Volney Steele has done a remarkable job of capturing the life and times of the man -- Michael Dougherty, author: The Ultimate Montana Atlas and Travel Encyclopedia

…carefully researched, delightfully written account of an intriguing and complex personality -- Jim Moore, Bozeman, Montana, Rancher, Attorney, Former Montana State Senator

Product Description

Wellington Rankin was arguably one of the most powerful Montana figures in the first half of the 20th century. Without him, it might be argued that the name of Jeannette Rankin, his older sister, might not be known to us today. He was instrumental in both her elections to congress. At one time he was the largest landowner in the United States with over one million acres under his ownership, though his stewardship of the many ranches he owned was often controversial. A brilliant, flamboyant attorney, Rankin was a champion of the underdog. Had he lived in the later part of the century, he would have been a nationally known attorney in the pattern of F. Lee Bailey and Gerry Spence. Though serving as the Montana State Attorney General, the U.S. Attorney for the state of Montana, and for years the powerful head of the Montana Republican Party, he was unable to get elected to the office he coveted most, the U.S. Senate.

Dave Walter, Research Historian for the Montana Historical Society states in his forward to the book, "To say that Wellington Rankin presents an enigman is to belabor the obvious. Possessing perhaps Montana's most adept political mind—ever—them man failed to be elected time and time again. Awash in property and wealth, he reached his peak as a courtroom attorney who defended the downtrodden. A horseman of real repute, he proved unable or unwilling to sustain a quality ranching operation."

"Is there a home-grown Montanan who alive who does not have a 'Wellington Rankin story'? This volume sorts through the stories, sifts fact from fiction, and launches the unraveling of a persistent enigma."

Because Rankin kept few records, little has been written of him. Volney Steele spent more than ten years researching through what little information was available and interviewing family and friends. He has done an outstanding job of piecing together the life of this remarkable figure in Montana history.

Author Biography: Volney Steele, a retired physician, has lived in Bozeman, Montana for more than forty years. He has published several articles on frontier medicine, and is a passionate student and researcher of frontier history.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 240 pages
• Publisher: Champions Publishing; illustrated edition edition (October 1, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1888550104
• ISBN-13: 978-1888550108
• Product Dimensions: 8.7 x 5.9 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #895,406 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Essential (and only) Rankin Book, June 2, 2004

By A Customer

How ridiculous it is to suggest that someone who did not live with a subject is unable to chronicle his or her life. Does this mean that no one can be the biographer of anyone who lived before their subject's time? One reason there are no other biographies of Wellington Rankin in print, is because Wellington and the Rankin family were extremely private people. All of Wellington's personal papers are currently under seal in the state's historical archives and unavailable to researchers. The author spent 10 years meticulously culling through what records were available and interviewing countless people who did live with, work with, and know Rankin. People who knew or knew of Rankin either loved him or hated him. The author's attempt and success at painting an honest picture of the man will no doubt inflame those on both sides. His goal was to dispel the myths of the man, both positive and negative, and he has done an excellent job. This book is not only an outstanding portrayal of a man of legendary stature in Montana; it also offers an excellent background on the politics of his time. Whether you loved or hated the man you will find something in this book to support your beliefs, or anger you. If you are unfamiliar with him, you will find an excellent recounting of one of the most fascinating characters, not only in Montana history, but also in U.S. history. If you love the history of the West, this is a must read.

0 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Wellington Rankin: His Family, Life and Times by Volney Stee, September 29, 2003

By A Customer

How pathetic that someone who never met Wellington Rankin, and was neither born nor raised in Montana, can claim to be his biographer. Gleaned mainly from old newspapers, rumors and suposition, there is nothing insightfull here and nothing not generally known. The many who knew Wellington Rankin personally, and admired his wit, intelligence, charm and generosity are strangely absent in this book. The cheap gossip shows a lack of knowledge of Montana and Western history. Two examples: "He let his cattle run loose"...Montana had a free range policy, as did other cattle states, and still does. "He hired jail-birds"...Yes, cowboys do get drunk and land in jail. Tsk-Tsk. This book reminds one of a 7th grader's term paper. Dull facts, no substance but loads of footnotes.