Charles Rankin 1797 - 1886, born in Enniskillen, Ireland, died at Owen Sound, Ontario. Charles Rankin moved to Upper Canada in his early years, in 1820 he was appointed deputy provincial surveyor and worked in the Southwestern Ontario area. He began work in Nottawasaga Bay in 1833 and settled on some 200 acres (0.81 km2) of land west of the present town of Thornbury. His more important surveys included; several townships in the present county of Grey including the Township of Artemesia (completed 1850); the Garafraxa Colonization Road; the town plot of Sydenham (now Owen Sound); the Toronto-Owen Sound Road (also known as the Toronto & Syndenham Road); the Muskoka Road; and the town plot of Southampton. He had a daughter named Vera.
In his later years Charles Rankin lived in Owen Sound, until his death, he is buried in Greenwood Cemetery. Ontario Plaques indicate Charles Rankin's death as 1886. Greenwood Cemetery records indicate Charles Rankin’s death as October 12, 1888.