The Conductor by Caleb Franz conveys the fascinating story of the Reverend John Rankin of Ripley, Ohio, a highly influential figure in the abolitionist cause of the 19th century. Rankin’s story is largely unknown, overshadowed by the more celebrated figures of the antebellum period and the Civil War. But Franz hopes to reframe the story of abolition. “We cannot hope to fully understand how slavery was abolished,” Franz writes, “without first understanding the role played by this rural Presbyterian minister.”
Rankin was a devout man who possessed moral clarity and a sincere faith that was strengthened by the difficulties of frontier life. He attended Washington College in Tennessee and was mentored by the president of the college, Rev. Samuel Doak. In 1816, he met and married Doak’s granddaughter Jean Lowery, who became an abiding source of support throughout their ministry.
Read Full Article »