Jacob "Jack" Randolph (1836-1913)

RANDOLPH

Posted By: Dorian Myhre (email)
Date: 5/5/2024 at 18:54:54

From Story City Herald April 24, 1913 (page 8)

DEATH OF JACOB RANDOLPH

Jacob Randolph, better known as "Jack Randolph," died at the Wayside Farm of A. C. Frandson last Saturday night, April 19, 1913. Jack was born in Denmark February 24, 1836, being thus a little over 77 years old when he died. He came to America in 1860 and spent about twenty-five years on a farm in Illinois near Beloit, Wis. The other years of his life in this country he traveled in every state in the Union except two. In his wanderings several years ago he came to the Wayside Farm, making the acquaintance of our genial fellow citizen, A. C. Frandson and his estimable family. It is not strange to say that he liked them, and from that time to this the Wayside Farm became to "Jack" the "House at the Side of the Road" where he could always expect a kindly welcome. Many times he dropped in, unheralded, remained as long as he was content, then went again on his wanderings.

Last October on day he came for the last time. Having been sick under a tree near Chicago for about a week without help, as soon as he was able he started to Story City. He fell by the way and was picked up by some one who paid his fare to Story City where he expected to stay a few weeks and then resume his journey. He did not get well enough to go. His disease grew worse, an operation last Friday resulted in greater shock than his enfeebled body could with stand, and he took his last journey to that bourne from whence no traveler returns. He had no relatives, but his friends laid his body gently to rest in the Lafayette Center cemetery Tuesday p. m. after an impressive service. Pastor Smay preached the sermon, and a number of those who had known the deceased were present to pay him their last respects.