James Rankine (1828 – 8 September 1897) was a farmer, businessman and politician in the early days of the Colony of South Australia.
[1] At the age of twenty years he was made manager of a property leased by his father and uncle, Dr. John Rankine, on Hindmarsh Island.
After a few years wheat farming at Mundowie, near Gladstone in South Australia's Mid-North, he settled on his own property "Wyndgate" on Hindmarsh Island, where he raised cattle and pigs.
[1] He was for a time agent in South Australia for the Cornwall Fire and Marine and Eagle Life Insurance Companies, and was one of the founders of and for over twenty years Director of the National Bank of Australasia.
[2] He was an enthusiastic member of the volunteer militia, holding a commission as captain of the Military Rifle Company, then with the Milang and Strathalbyn Cavalry Corps.