William M. Rantin, a “Daguerrean Artist,” was born about 1825, in or near Charleston, South Carolina. There were several persons with that surname in that state, and I have been unable to locate this particular Rantin on any Federal census.

He was working as a daguerreotypist in Charleston as of July 1849, and is also documented there in 1852 (Craig’s Daguerreian Registry, v.1, 312; Harvey Teal, Partners with the Sun, 22). His advertisement placed in the Charleston Mercury appeared on July 19 and 21, 1849 (newspapers.com). In it he referred to his studio as “Rantin’s Rooms, Charleston Neck,” and he offered “the most perfect and life-like PICTURES by the Daguerrian Art” noting that his “Likenesses will favorably compare with those executed elsewhere,” and that he had “considerable experience in the art….” Also mentioned in the closing of that advertisement is the previous tenant of “the Drug and Apothecary Store of Dr. DeGaffarella,” over which he was now located – Dr. J. M. Rantin.

Could this be the reason, or one reason, that William came to Atlanta, or is it the reverse? Dr. J. [Joseph] M. Rantin briefly sold, in addition to his “medicines, paints, oils, and perfumery,” etc., from September 1854 through Feb. 8, 1855,” a fine assortment of the best Plates, Cases, and Chemicals for Daguerreotypists” (Atlanta Weekly Intelligencer, this ran Sept. 26, 1854 – Feb. 8, 1855). His advertisement appeared in the Feb. 1, 1855, issue only one column away from the advertisement of William M. Rantin (now using his middle initial).

I have yet to connect these two men, but they are possibly, at least, cousins. The two were both born in Charleston and both worked there as professionals, and both were advertising in Atlanta in 1854 and 1855. It seems J. M. Rankin advertised his Atlanta business longer than William did.

J. M. Rantin returned to Charleston by 1860, and after forays as a druggist in Savannah, Georgia, 1870-71, and in Mobile, Alabama, 1875, he returned to Charleston where he continued as a druggist for a number of years.

According to William M. Rantin’s advertisement in the Atlanta Weekly Intelligencer, which ran from March 30, 1854 to at least May 17, 1855, he had “studied under” (James) McGuire [sic; Maguire] and (William H.) Harrington in New Orleans. Those two men were partners in 1850 only, and Maquire, who died on January 1, 1851, had studied under Harrington in Tuscoloosa, Alabama, ten years earlier (Photography in New Orleans, by Smith & Tucker, 1982). I

It is possible William Rantin studied with the two men during their short partnership, but it seems more likely he would have met with them separately, and prior to Rantin’s 1849 appearance in Charleston, when both men were working in New Orleans.

Although I could find little else pertaining to William’s life, I was able to find his marriage record. He married Eleanor Brown, in Fulton County (Atlanta) Georgia, on June 26, 1854. I believe that he stayed in Atlanta because he enlisted from there into the Confederate Army on March 4, 1862, at Camp McDonald. He became a private in Co. I, of the 42nd GA Infantry, which became known as the “‘Fulton Blues.”

On April 20, 1862, he was sent [along with an officer] to escort prisoners from Knoxville, Tennessee, to Madison, Georgia, and he was due pay upon his return. It appears he was last paid on April 30, 1862, upon his return from this trip. One more significant item is in his military record (source National Archives). I am unable to see exactly what transpired, but in the company muster roll of “Feb. 28 to Oct. 31, 1863, dated Dec. 1863” is noted “Absent at Chickamauga [GA] under sentence Court Martial.” This was one of the bloodiest of the battles the 42nd was in, and I doubt William Rantin was the only one considered “absent.”

It appears nothing came of these charges (although it stayed on his record), because William M. Rantin is named among the wounded in a list appearing in the Southern Confederacy on Tuesday, June 21, 1864 (pg.1, col. 5; newspaper.com). This list was compiled for those wounded up to 18 and 19 June, and were from the “Receiving and Distributing Hospital.” W. M. Rantin, Co. I, 42nd Georgia, [was wounded in his] “left shoulder.” This wound happened in one of the battles surrounding Atlanta, probably around those at Dallas or Kolb’s Farm (American Battlefield Trust, list of Battles, Atlanta Campaign).

This may be the wound that led to his death at the Academy Hospital, Camp Marietta, Georgia, on June 24, 1864. According to the “Register of Officers and Soldiers of the Army of the Confederate States who were killed in battle, or who died of wounds or disease” (US Civil War Service Records, Confederate – Georgia, 1861-1865; NARS) news of his death did not reach those compiling records until July 18, 1864.

Note that a Rantin, John, listed before William, was captured at Atlanta and then enlisted in the Union Army.

William M. Rantin’s death is listed in several places (although I do not find a burial place). Franklin Garrett’s list of Atlanta dead, his “Necrology,” cites him as a Printer, which he very well may have been once he left his daguerreotype business. Garrett also states that Wm. M. Rantin “served in the U.S. Army during War with Mexico” (see below), but I find no other record of this. I would appreciate any other information you may have on this man.

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