jayhawk on Family Tree Circles

I am trying to find information about my Gr. Grandfather, William Paul Rankin born 4-6-1852 & died 1-7-08. From the 1900 Federal Census he states he as born in Pa. and his parents were born in Ireland. At that time he was living in Rossville, KS.


In the 1860 US Census I find him at age 8 living with Horace Putnam and his wife Mary in Fulton County, Putnam Township and the name was shown as Rankins rather than Rankin. The 1870 Census shows him in Peoria County, Tivoli township age 19 as a farm laborer. I have reason to believe he was illegitimate so I do not know anything about his mother or father. Would appreciate any help.