James Rankin Mason was born in 1822 in Madison County, Kentucky, to Nancy Snoddy and John Mason. James was the youngest of seven children. He had three brothers (William, John and Samuel) and three sisters (Margaret, Isabella and Mary).

On October 24, 1844, at age 22, James Rankin Mason married Margaret Jane Cochran, age 15. Together they had nine children. Six boys (William, John, Robert, Gilbert, Rankin and Walker) and three daughters (Sarah, Mary and Nancy). William became an attorney in the area, but died at the early age of 32. John married Sarah Cornelison and had a family of eight children, including triplets. Sarah married Alexander Black and had a son, Thomas. Robert married Rose Gibson. Records tell nothing about Margaret, Gilbert or Walker.

Rankin was a student at Central University in Richmond. He graduated in 1879 and later became a practicing attorney in Washington, D.C. In 1857, James Rankin Mason bought a 392.5 acre farm on Silver Creek for $17,000 from his father-in-law, Robert Cochran. James Rankin Mason was a well-to-do farmer/tailor. He raised and sold hogs, chickens, turkeys, ducks and tobacco. He also sold eggs and potatoes. In addition, he sewed and sold shirts, breeches and waistcoats.

James Rankin Mason died October 13, 1902. He was 80 years old. He is interred in the Richmond Cemetery. He was preceded in death by his wife Margaret Jane. She died in 1891 at the age of 62.