Charles spent four years at Payson High School, two years in the Maplewood School at Camp Point, and two years at Chaddock College in Quincy, IL. He graduated from Illinois State University in 1885 with a degree in Civil Engineering. On 14 Feb 1888. Like his father, Charles was a prominent gruit grower, belonging to the Mississippi Valley Apple Growers' Association. His apple crop ran from 1,000 to 2,500 barrels annually. Henrietta, likewise, had a well-founded education and taught school for seven years before her marriage. Their home was built from her plans and under her immediate supervision. Everything in the home was modern for the its day. It had a hot water heating system, a gasoline gas-light system, gas for cooking and a hydraulic water supply which could pump 700 gallons each 24 hours. In the basement was a pressure tank by which the water was distributed to all the floors of the house. The Rankin home was widely known for a place individuals could come and relax in a beautiful and quiet retreat in the country for a few days or weeks, especially in the summer.