RANDOLPH, Harry L. 1877-1928

RANDOLPH, BOOMGAARDEN

Posted By: Linda (email)
Date: 2/9/2012 at 13:32:31

Brain Tumor Is Fatal For Local Man

H. L. Randolph Buried Sunday; Huge Crowd Pays Final Tribute

Funeral services were held her Sunday for Harry Randolph, resident of this county for more than a quarter of a century, who passed away at the Mayo hospital in Rochester, Minn., early Thursday morning, following a brief illness, caused by brain tumor. Short services were held at the Randolph farm home, northwest of this city, and then the remains were brought to Hock Rapids, where Rev. C. P. Bast, of the Congregational church, preached a funeral sermon before one of the largest crowds ever assembled here to honor a departed citizen. Internment was made in Riverview cemetery, where members of the Masonic lodge, of which the deceased man was a member, carried out their ritualistic ceremony. The body was escorted by a guard of honor from Petros Commandery, Knights Templar, to which Mr. Randolph had belonged for many years.

Was a Good Farmer
Mr. Randolph had been actively engaged in farming ever since coming to Lyon county in 1904. He had a remarkable capacity for head work, and made a comfortable fortune prior to the World war, through his farming activities, and the feeding of cattle and sheep. During the boom days, Randolph acquired large land holdings and when the time for deflation came, he found himself unable to make good on these deals, and saw his fortune melt almost over-night. He refused to quit, continued his farming operations, prospered, paid off a large part of his obligations, and was starting to acquire a little property that he could call his own, when he was overtaken with his last bit of “hard luck.”

Ill But Short Time
For two weeks or more, prior to the time of his death, Mr. Randolph had. . . . (cannot read this part). . . .physician was called and he prescribed for the sick man, whose condition at this time did not appear to be critical. A day later he was confined to his bed, partially paralyzed, and on Tuesday his condition was so bad that he scarcely recognized members of his own family. Dr. G. H. Boetel, the family physician, called Dr. G. Maris, of Hull, and after a consultation they decided that Mr. Randolph was suffering from a brain tumor, and advised that he be sent to Rochester, Minn. That night, Mr. Randolph, accompanied by his daughter Thelma, Miss Grace Harmsen, trained nurse, and E. O. Carpenter, left for the Mayo hospital. Physicians and surgeons concurred with the local man regarding the cause of Mr. Randolph’s condition, and decided to operate as soon as possible. Early the next morning, before an operation could be attempted, Randolph died. Postmortem examination proved that he was suffering from an imbedded brain tumor, which Mayo surgeons believed would have been fatal, no matter if an operation had been performed.

Born in Illinois in 1877
Harry L. Randolph was born at Golconda, Illinois, on November 18, 1877, and died on Thursday, December 20, at 2 a.m., aged 51 years, one month, and two days. His early life was spent in Southern Illinois, where he finished his schooling, and then for a time engaged in the printing trade. During the World’s fair at Saint Louis, Randolph was employed on the exposition grounds, and among others, became acquainted with Mr. and Mrs. J. F. Nagle of this city, who were there for the big show. They told him of the opportunities in this part of the country, and in 1904 he came here. For a time he worked for H. S. Boomgarden. In 1907 he married, taking as his wife a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Boomgarden, Vina. She died thirteen years ago. To this union were born three children, Thelma, Harold, and Margery, all of whom survive their father.

Rock Rapids Reporter, Rock Rapids, Iowa, Thursday, December 27, 1928, front page.