McDonough County IL Archives Biographies.....Randolph, Hon. William Harrison August 20, 1813 - ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/il/ilfiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Sandy Morrey sandymorrey@yahoo.com November 13, 2009, 5:38 pm Source: Hancock, McDonough and Henderson Counties, Illinois Author: Unknown HON. WILLIAM HARRISON RANDOLPH, deceased, who was one of the most public- spirited and progressive citizens Macomb has ever known, and who was a leading factor in all that pertained to the upbuilding of the city, was born in Lebanon, Ohio, on the 20th of Au- gust, 1813, and was a son of David and Rebecca (Sutphen) Randolph. Both were natives of New Jersey, and from that State they removed to Kentucky, and thence to Ohio. Some members of the family, however, are still living in Lexing- ton, Ky. The Randolph family was founded in America in a very early day, by ancestors who crossed the Atlantic and settled in New Jersey prior to the Revolution. W. H. Randolph spent his early boyhood on his father's farm, and in his youth he served an apprenticeship in a woolen mill in Lebanon, Ohio. Wishing to try his fortune on the broad prairies of the West, and with the hope of thereby better- ing his financial condition, he came to McDon- ough County, Ill., in 1834, and cast his lot among the early settlers. He embarked in gen- eral merchandising in Macomb, and from a small beginning he steadily increased his business until it had assumed extensive proportions. His fel- low-townsmen, soon recognizing his worth and ability, called him to public office, and in 1838 he was elected County Sheriff, which position he filled for six years, or for three terms. In 1844, he was sent to the House of Representatives, and in 1846 was elected his own successor. Many years passed before he was allowed to retire to private life, for he was always found prompt and faithful in the discharge of his public duties, and the confidence and trust of the people were always with him. In 1848, he was elected Circuit Clerk of the county, and filled that position until 1856. He very seldom, if ever, held an office to which he was not re-elected on the expiration of his first term. His popularity and the confidence reposed in him were so great that he always ran far ahead of his ticket, and on no occasion was he a defeated candidate. On the 26th of January, 1837, Mr. Randolph was united in marriage with Matilda Jane Brook- ing, daughter of Thomas Alexander and Mary Louise (Thrushley) Brooking, the former a na- tive of Richmond, Va., and the latter of Lexing- ton, Ky. Her parents were honored pioneers of McDonough County, who, in 1834, settled upon a farm four miles north of Macomb. They had a family of thirteen children, six of whom are yet living, namely: Mrs. Randolph; William T. and Alexander V., of Macomb; Robert S., of Ando- ver, S. Dak.; Mrs. J. E. Randolph, of Ft. Scott, Kan.; and August, a farmer of Dallas, Tex. One of the number, Edward S., was killed near Memphis, Tenn., upon the occasion of a raid by Forest's men. He was taken prisoner, and was afterwards killed by his captors, August 21, 1864. He was buried by the roadside, and all trace of his grave was soon lost, so that his resting-place is unmarked. A sister, Mrs. Elizabeth Upde- graff, died October 13, 1873. Mrs. Lucy Snyder, of Carrollton, Mo., died in August, 1889. Louise died in May, 1852, and the others died in early childhood. Mr. and Mrs. Randolph began their domestic life in Macomb, and always made their home in this city. In 1854, he opened the first banking house in McDonough County, in company with Joseph M. Parkinson, Joseph W. Blount and M. T. Winslow. During the first two years they were quite successful, but they were persuaded by T. L. McCoy, of Galesburg, to invest $20,000 in the Nemaha Valley Bank. The Macomb Bank was to issue its own notes and to be held respon- sible for the same, as was the case with every other bank interested therein, but afterwards an- other arrangement was made whereby any notes issued on the Nemaha Valley Bank could be pre- sented to any bank connected therewith for col- lection, and then sent to their respective banks for final redemption. In 1858, the Nemaha Val- ley Bank failed. Messrs. Randolph & Co. re- deemed their whole issue and over $5,000 of the notes of other parties, for which they never ob- tained compensation. This caused their failure, and Mr. Randolph alone lost over $100,000. Here the honorable dealing which always charac- terized his business career was strongly shown. He did not compromise with his creditors, paying a few cents on the dollar, but he began at once to liquidate all debts, and labored earnestly to pay his creditors. At the time of his death he had paid nearly the entire amount. No one doubted his honesty of purpose, for his word was as good as his bond. In 1856, Mr. Randolph began the erection of the well-known Randolph Hotel, which stands as a monument to his enterprise and public spirit. Not finding a suitable tenant, he took charge of it in 1858, and continued to carry on the hotel busi- ness until his death. He made the house a fav- orite stopping-place with the traveling public, and it was an honor to the city. During the same year that work on the hotel was begun, he laid off Oakwood Cemetery, comprising a tract of eleven acres, north of the city. It was the most beautiful and eligible spot near Macomb, and he set it aside as a resting-place for those who had crossed the dark river. Mr. Randolph was also interested in the real-estate business. In 1853, he began business along that line under the firm name of Randolph, Parkinson & Co., and this connection was continued until November 3, 1856, when the firm became McLean, Randolph & Co. They confined their operations to a region known as the "Military Tract," comprising sixteen counties, lying between the Illinois and Missis- sippi Rivers, and for a time did an extensive bus- iness, which materially increased Mr. Randolph's wealth. He was a man of keen sagacity and foresight, which, combined with his thorough knowledge of the country, made his purchases and sales profitable. In politics, Mr. Randolph was first a Whig, and on the organization of the Republican party he at once joined its ranks. No one was ever doubtful as to where he stood, for he was a man of firm convictions, and neither fear nor favor could make him withhold an opinion on questions which he believed to be vitally important to the country. When the Republican party was yet new and its success seemed doubtful, he put forth every effort in its behalf and labored untiringly for its growth and upbuilding. In 1860, he re- doubled his efforts in support of Illinois' greatest statesman, and his labors in this community did much toward securing the large majority which was given to the Martyr President. His loyalty and patriotism were made manifest on the out- break of the late war, and his time and means were given freely to the support of the Union. The boys in blue were ever welcome at his house, and if they had no money to pay bills it mattered not, for he gave to them freely. They were engaged in the effort to preserve the Union, and the cause was dear to his heart. On the 15th of June, 1863, Mr. Randolph was appointed Deputy Provost-Marshal for McDon- ough County, without his solicitation, and was re-appointed September 28, 1864. His friends urged him not to accept, for they knew that many enemies would arise, anxious to take the life of one whom they would regard as a foe; but it was a question of duty, not of safety, with him, and he accepted the appointment. His first act was to make an enrollment of the militia, report- ing the names to the Provost-Marshal in Mt. Sterling. At this time McDonough County was short in the quota, and a draft was ordered. The number deficient was drawn, and among others John Bond, of Hire Township, was drafted. Mr. Randolph at once notified him, and ordered him to report at once at Mt. Sterling; but this not be- ing done he proceeded to Blandinsville to arrest Bond. The latter endeavored to escape, but Mr. Randolph told him he was a prisoner. Bond then took a step or two back and fired at Mr. Randolph, after which he fled. The Marshal re- turned the shots, and each fired again several times. James Bond, a brother of the prisoner, now came up in the rear of the Marshal and be- gan firing, and inflicted a fatal wound, the death of Mr. Randolph following within twenty-four hours. His loss was mourned throughout the entire community, for he was one of the most prominent, influential and highly-respected citi- zens. His name is inseparably connected with the history of the community, for he was one of the important factors in its upbuilding. Mrs. Randolph still survives her husband and is yet living in Macomb. She is the possessor of considerable valuable property, and the income derived therefrom surrounds her with all the comforts of life. Photo: http://www.usgwarchives.net/il/mcdonough/photos/bios/randolph1567gbs.jpg File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/il/mcdonough/bios/randolph1567gbs.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/ilfiles/ File size: 9.6 Kb