My Genealogy Hound

Corydon C. Randall, M. D., a well known and highly esteemed resident of Drayton Plains, Waterford township, Oakland County, and also of Detroit, was born July 30, 1841, at Hamilton, Canada, and is a son of James J. Randall, a native of the State of New York, of English parentage.

James J. Randall resided in Canada for a number of years and was at one time associated with Dr. Carnot in a patent medicine business, but when his son Corydon C. was 14 years old he removed to Detroit and for a number of years was engaged there in a photograph business.

Dr. Randall was educated very thoroughly, being a son of cultured, literary parents. He became associated with his father in the photograph business at Detroit, where he built up a reputation in that line second to none in the State. About 1884 he purchased at Drayton Plains his present beautiful home, consisting of a handsome residence, fitted up with all the appurtenances dear to a man of education and culture, with two acres of surrounding land, and for some years the family spent their summers on this spot. During late years, however, it has been the home throughout the year. Dr. Randall is an excellent physician, but from choice is something of a recluse, delighting in the pleasure of his own fireside and the treasures of his fine library. Retiring as he is, he is known far and wide for his charity and benevolence and is most sincerely esteemed by all who are permitted to enjoy a close acquaintance. He has ever been ready to assist public spirited movements in Waterford township, but his generosity has been mainly extended, in a quiet and unassuming way, to those who have been unfortunate in the battle of life.

Dr. Randall was married first to Ella Rose, who was a daughter of Dr. Rose, of Detroit; she died without issue. On May 9, 1874, he was united in marriage with Mrs. Anna S. Christian Leggett, who was born at Roslyn, Long Island, and is a daughter of the late Augustus W. and Elsie S. (Seaman) Christian, the former of whom was a local poet and literary character of some celebrity and so intimate a friend of his neighbor, William Cullen Bryant, that they were denominated brothers. Mrs. Randall, with her culture and accomplishments, has been a most congenial companion for one of Dr. Randall’s temperament and their home is pervaded by an atmosphere of intellectual refinement. By her first marriage, Mrs. Randall has one daughter, Mrs. Elizabeth Hitchcock, a literary woman of Detroit. The five children born to her second marriage are: Huntley, B. S., is a mining engineer, located, at Monterey, Mexico; Ferris Seaman, who is also located in Mexico; Chandler C., a traveling man who is married and settled in Detroit; and Mortimer and Eloise, who remain at home.