JASON MILBURN RANDALL 1842-1910

RANDALL, WELLS, FEGTLY, SMITH, ADAMS, WOODSON

Posted By: Fred Rucker (email)
Date: 12/11/2005 at 11:47:49

Dr. J.M. RANDALL.

Jason Milburn Randall, the tenth child of Michael Shelby and Mary Adams Randall, was born August 31, 1842, on a farm near Bernadotte, Fulton county, Illinois, to which place his parents had emigrated from Bowling Green, Kentucky, in October, 1828. His mother, Mary Adams Randall, was a cousin of President John Quincy Adams.

When Jason was two and a half years old his father died leaving a widow and seven children. Four years later the mother died leaving a family of orphans. From that time on Jason knew nothing of parental love and home care. From the age of six years absolute necessity compelled him to look out for himself; and being naturally of a frail constitution, life was anything but easy for him, often meeting with abuse. The guardian appointed by the court swindled him out of his share of the property. At the age of fourteen years, after an illness of more than six months' duration, he started from Fulton county to Marion county, Illinois, a journey of 200 miles, on foot, poorly clad, with just 15 cents cash and his entire worldly effects in a little wooden box in his hand. The box is still in the family. Working his way, he finally reached his bachelor uncle, Elisha Jason Adams. At the breaking out of the civil war he was anxious to enlist, but his uncle opposed it on account of his physical condition, but later on reluctantly gave his consent seeing that nothing else would do. He enlisted Dec. 15, 1861, in Co E, 62nd Regiment, Illinois Volunteers, and re-enlisted in the same organization as a Veteran, Dec. 23, 1863. He was discharged along with the organization March 20, 1866, after a service of 4 years, 3 months and 5 days. Suffering from the exposure and hardships due to hard marches and sickness he came home much shattered in health, having had during his service two violent attacks of pneumonia and various attacks of malarial fever, sunstroke and diarrhea.

In April, 1866, he entered the State Normal University at Bloomington, Illinois, where he spent some years. Later he worked on a farm, and taught for a while.

Devoted to his family, it was characteristic of him that in his illness of all earthly affairs should fade into insignificance except his family ties. In the love of his dear ones he took his greatest comfort and his only regret at passing away was leaving the hitherto unbroken family circle. Another characteristic was his tenacity to a principle he thought right. What he believed he believed with intensity; thus he was loyalty itself to his friends, firm in his opinions on political or other questions of the day, denouncing deceit and hypocrisy wherever found. This trait manifested itself, rallying again and again after his life was despaired of in the past three months.

He always thought of others first and himself last; his whole scheme of life was for others, and even in business matters he trusted everybody, though (torn column unreadable)…man as honest as he himself, torn column unreadable)…taking advantage of his trust. He was converted in early life, joined the Methodist church, and was a Christian to the time of his death. In his last days he often talked of "crossing the river and going home," often said, "I'm not afraid," A few evenings before the end he asked for the 23rd Psalm and then said, "It won't be long until my pastures will be green."

His memory will be cherished not only by the sorrowing family but by those friends to whom he has ministered in bygone days.

A brief funeral service was held Monday evening at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Wells, 222 Allen St., Waterloo, Iowa, at whose home he passed away. Accompanied by the family the remains were taken to Mt. Pleasant, Iowa, for burial. A short service was held at the grave in charge of Rev. T.J. Myers and representatives of the G.A.R. Post; members of the Masonic order acted as pallbearers. Beneath the beautiful floral offerings of friends the beloved form was laid to rest.

He studied medicine with Drs. Davenport, Pratt and Ramsey in Salem Illinois, and later studied at the College of Physicians and Surgeons at Keokuk, Iowa. In April, 1870, he began practice at Utica, Iowa. Being by nature endowed with a medical mind, he was very successful in his chosen profession. He practiced as he did everything else he undertook with all his might; often he left his bed and braved the stormy weather to visit a patient less sick than he was himself.

In September, 1877, he moved from Utica to Birmingham, Iowa, which was his home until July, 1908, having been compelled by reasons of health to give up active work some years before.

At Utica, May 23, 1871, he married Miss Sarah Olive Fegtly. Who, with their five children survives him. The children are Mrs. Albert E. Smith of Madison, Wis.; Mrs. Thomas S. Wells of Waterloo, Iowa; Jason Adams Randall of New London, Iowa, and Jenner M. Randall of Mt. Pleasant, Iowa. A sister, Mrs. James Woodson of Coulterville, Illinois, and numerous nieces and nephews and grandchildren also survive. Dr. Randall was a member of the Masonic lodge of Birmingham, Io., of the G.A.R. Post of the same town, and the Sir Knights Commandary of Keosauqua, Iowa.

A year ago he suffered a general breakdown, the many diseases he had battled with for years conquered him, and he had been an invalid ever since. Shortly after Christmas he had had an attack of grippe and pneumonia and the consequent weakness and heart trouble made the recovery impossible. Competent nursing and skilled attention held him to life until Sunday evening April 3rd.

He retained his mental faculties and even his sense of humor never deserted him. In the long months of patient suffering the beauty of his character daily manifested itself, as he uncomplainingly endured the depths and heights of physical pain, and appreciative of all efforts made for his comfort. It seemed hard that one whose life for forty years had been devoted to relieving the suffering of others could have so little ease from pain in his last days. Always a determined man who conquered difficulties, ambitious beyond his strength, but recognizing no limitations, all will remember his erect carriage and sprightly step retained in defiance of age and illness.

SOURCE: Newspaper Clipping dated April 21, 1910. Handwritten note: The Reporter. Birmingham, Iowa