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Noel Rankin Papers

 Collection
Identifier: Ms-0062

Scope and Contents

The Noel Rankin papers, 1926-1975, consist of personal and organizational correspondence and records of a prominent southwestern New Mexico rancher. Most of the material in this collection is from organizations Rankin was involved with and covers the period 1953-1970. The ranch records consist of a journal containing ranch expenses and cattle tallies (1926-1970), and a book of livestock contracts (1945-1946). Correspondence, letters of appointment, resolutions and minutes of the New Mexico Farm and Livestock Bureau, the State Soil and Water Conservation Committee and the New Mexico Cattle Growers’ Association form the bulk of this collection. The papers also include a biographical sketch of Rankin’s life, letters of congratulations, citations, awards, newspaper clippings and photographs from the Rankin family album.

Dates

  • 1926-1975

Biographical / Historical

Noel Rankin was born at Throckmorten, Texas, in 1887. His family moved to Elida, New Mexico, when he was a small boy, and then to Grant County in 1916. After serving in World War I, Rankin went to work on the H Bar Y Ranch in 1919. He worked for Huling Means for twelve years, ten of which he spent as ranch foreman. In 1926, he married Carrie Wicker. By 1939, Rankin owned the 12 sections that were to comprise his ranch. His ranch prospered, and by the 1950s he began to contribute his time and energy to various organizations. Rankin served on the State Soil Conservation Committee for many years. He was director of the New Mexico Farm and Livestock Bureau, president of the Grant County Farm Bureau, and chairman of the Cliff-Gila Fair Board for twelve years. He was twice president of the New Mexico Cattle Growers’ Association and a member of the Cattle Growers’ Board of Directors. He was also a member of the New Mexico Cattle Sanitary Board. In 1969 he was a member of the New Mexico Constitutional Convention. In April 1970, he was named “Cattleman of the Year” by the New Mexico Cattle Growers’ Association and in 1972, Rankin was honored as New Mexico State University’s “Agriculturalist of Distinction.”

Extent

3 Linear Feet (2 Boxes)

Language of Materials

English

Abstract

Personal and organizational correspondence and ranch records of a prominent southwestern (Cliff) New Mexico rancher. In addition to photographs and newspaper clippings, the collection also contains certificates and biographical sketches. Organizations in which Rankin was active include: the New Mexico Farm and Livestock Bureau, the State Soil and Water Conservation Committee and the New Mexico Cattle Growers’ Association.

Processing Information

Merleen Dibert, October 1979 Finding aid revised, 1999, by Linda Blazer and Andrea Conners
Title
Guide to the Noel Rankin Papers
Status
Completed
Author
Linda Blazer and Andrea Conners
Date
revised 1999
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
Undetermined
Script of description
Code for undetermined script
Language of description note
English

Repository Details

Part of the New Mexico State University Library Archives and Special Collections Repository

Contact:
Branson Hall
PO Box 30006
MSC 3475
Las Cruces New Mexico 88003 USA