My Genealogy Hound

I. A. RANDALL, merchant, West Milton; is another pioneer, and one of Miami’s permanent settlers. He was born in Maryland, in 1816, and is a son of Jonathan and Massey (Jarvis) Randall. His father was born in Maryland Aug. 19, 1782, and departed this life March 23, 1855, aged 72 years 7 months 4 days. His mother was born in Pennsylvania Jan. 3, 1792, and departed this life Nov. 25, 1869, aged 77 years 10 months and 22 days. They lived many years near Ellicott’s Mills, in Baltimore Co., Md., and emigrated to Ohio in 1828, settling in West Milton, where they lived till their decease. They were the parents of eleven children, of whom six are living, viz., Aquilla, Israel A., Elizabeth, Jonathan, Sarah and Margaret; the deceased are John, McClain, William, Jackson, Joseph and Samuel. Our subject was early placed on the bench, and for thirty years was continuously engaged in the manufacture of boots and shoes, having learned his trade in this town. In 1840, he removed to Montgomery Co., where he followed his vocation for fourteen years, and then returned to West Milton, where he has been actively engaged ever since. In 1862 or 1863, he abandoned the bench and embarked in the mercantile business, in which he is still engaged. He carries a tasty and complete stock of goods, consisting of everything usually found in a retail house. His long and honest business career in the town has established a reputation above reproach, and he is a strong competitor in the business circles of the village, always dealing out his full share of goods to the buying public. He has been prominently identified in the offices of the township, having served as Treasurer for a period of four years, and is the present Treasurer of the corporation; these, with other local offices, the duties of which he has ably discharged, fully demonstrate his executive ability. He has been twice married; his first marriage, to Jane Randall, was celebrated in 1839, and to their union five children were given, of whom only one is living, viz., Edwin, born Dec. 5, 1848; the deceased are McClain, born Oct. 21, 1842, died June 5, 1843; John W., born May 3, 1844, died March 26, 1846; Joseph, born June 29, 1846, departed this life Jan. 9, 1851; Isabelle, born Jan. 31, 1851, died Oct. 13, 1862; William B., born Oct. 6, 1853, died Jan. 5, 1858. Mrs. Randall departed this life Oct. 26, 1855, and was born in Pennsylvania Oct. 12, 1818; his second marriage was celebrated with Mary A. Werts Sept 29, 1857; eight children are the fruits of this union, of whom six are living, viz.: Tolbot A., born Jan. 19, 1859; Clara C., born Sept. 13, 1861; Oscar E., born March 18, 1867; Walter V., born May 16, 1872; Leo C., born Oct. 22, 1874; Lulu M., born Nov. 10, 1869; the deceased are Josie E., born July 29, 1864, died June 30, 1876; one in infancy, June 19, 1877. Mr. Randall is one of our self-made men, having begun life without capital, but, by energy and good management, he has overcome the obstacles met with in life. He owns a half-interest in 12 acres of land, within the corporation, and a third interest in 15 acres, also within the limits. Mrs. Randall is a member of the Christian Church, and an exemplary Christian woman.