Rank, William, (1834-1920) Heidelberg, is a Yorkshireman. In 1854 he left England for America, where he landed at Portland, and going thence to Montreal, worked for the Grand Trunk Railway Company and assisted to construct the first locomotive engine for British North America. He also worked at Hamilton, Ontario, for the Great Western Railway Company for two years, after which he went to New York and carried on a small flour-mill and a saw-mill for eighteen months. In 1861 he came to Victoria and followed engineering for a time; then worked on the Victorian Railways, after which he proceeded to New Zealand and engaged in mining pursuits for two years. He also took a contract to fit out the s.s. Nelson for her trial trip before starting to run on the west coast of that colony. In 1864 he returned to Victoria and erected a flour-mill at Benalla for the late Mr. George Sharp, after which he engaged with the Government for four years, and finally went to Heidelberg, where he purchased the old Heidelberg flour mills, which he conducted for several years. At present he carries on a general produce store. (1888). He married Catherine Costello in 1865. They had 12 children – six boys and six girls.
from “Victoria and its Metropolis: Past and Present” written in 1888 by Alexander Sutherland.
Chapter 19, “The Upper Yarra District” pages [402] – 415. Includes descriptions of some townships and short biographies of local residents. Heidelberg Historical Society
Photo: HH0145 Heidelberg Historical Society in partnership with Yarra Plenty Regional Library
