Benjamin H. Randolph, Rapides Parish, La
Submitted by: Suzanne Shoemaker

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Source: Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Northwest Louisiana
The Southern Publishing Company, Chicago & Nashville,  1890

BENJAMIN H. RANDOLPH is a prominent saw miller of Rapides Parish, La., and
in this parish, where he was born in 1848, all his interests and affections
are centered.  As he grew up, his education was acquired in the common
schools of this region, and his knowledge of life was only such as could be
gained while working on his father's plantation.  At a later period he
learned the trade of carpenter and builder, and for some years followed the
saw milling business, operating a mill in this parish, at which he made
considerable money.  In 1878 he engaged exclusively in the mercantile
business at Bismarck, continuing until June, 1889, but a credit business
almost ruined him, there being some three or four thousand dollars he could
never collect.  He is the owner of 700 acres of land, a small portion of
which is under cultivation.  He is associated in the saw milling business
with Joseph Meeks, their establishment turning out about 5,000 feet per
day, the demand for their lumber being greater than they can supply.  His
marriage took place in this parish, and was to Miss Sarah G. Simpson, by
whom he has five children:  Sarah, Mary, James, Florence and Robert.  Mr.
Randolph is a Democrat.  He is a son of William and Esther (Hadley)
Randolph, the former born in New York and the latter in Mississippi.
William Randolph is a descendant of John Randolph, of Roanoke, famous in
the early history of this country, and although his early life was spent in
his native State, he was taken to Mississippi at a very early day, and
later came to Louisiana.  He was a tanner by trade, and became a magistrate
near Lecompte.  He and his wife became the parents of five children who
grew to maturity, and one that died in infancy.  Benjamin H. Randolph was
appointed a member of the police jury from Spring Hill Ward in 1884, and
after serving out his term was reappointed by the governor.