JASON MILBURN RANDALL 1842-1910

RANDALL, WELLS, ADAMS, FEGTLY, SMITH, WOODSON

Posted By: Fred Rucker (email)
Date: 12/11/2005 at 12:19:52

DR. J.M. RANDALL YIELDS TO DEATH

PIONEER PHYSICIAN OF VAN BUREN COUNTY

End Came at 8 O'clock Last Evening After Year's Illness.

Dr. Jason Milburn Randall, one of the pioneer physicians of Van Buren county and this state and veteran of the civil war, died in this city last evening at 8 o'clock at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Thomas Wells . 22 Allen street. Death was due to a general breakdown of the physical and nervous systems and a complication of ailments, pneumonia being one. Mr. and Mrs. Randall came to this city the first of last December and since that time the end has been awaited by relatives who knew that it was only a question of time.

Brief funeral services will be conducted this evening at 8 o'clock at the home where the death occurred, in charge of the Rev. Frank Cole. The remains will be taken to Mt. Pleasant for burial. The evening service is made necessary by the fact that relatives will not arrive in Waterloo until 5 o'clock this evening.

Native of Illinois

Jason Milburn Randall, the tenth child of Michael S. and Mary Adams, near Bernadotte, Ill. His mother was a cousin of John Quincy Adams sixth president of the United States. When Jason was two and one-half years of age the father died. Four years later, the mother passed away, leaving a large family of children. From the age of six years Jason knew nothing of parental love and care and often met with abuse. The guardian unfortunately appointed by the court swindled him out of his inheritance. At the age of fourteen years, frail in body, he went to Marion county, Illinois, to a bachelor uncle, Elisha Jason Adams, with whom he lived until the breaking out of the civil war.

Enthusiastic to join the union forces, he finally obtained the reluctant consent of his uncle and enlisted December 15, 1861, in company E, Sixty-second Illinois regiment of volunteers. He served until the discharge of the regiment on March 20, 1866. During this service over four years he suffered not only exposure, but also two violent attacks of pneumonia. Various attacks of malarial fever, sunstroke and diarrhea and returned home shattered in health.

In April of 1866, he entered the State Normal School University at Bloomington, Ill., and a few years later became a student at the College of Physicians and Surgeons at Keokuk, Ia.

Located in Van Buren County

Dr. Randall first practiced his profession at Utica, Ia., and seven years later moved to Birmingham, Van Buren county, Ia., which was his home until July of 1908. Ill health then compelled him to give up active work. Being naturally endowed with a medical mind, he was very successful in his chosen profession, practicing, as he did everything else, with all his determination and strength, often braving the stormy night to visit a patient less ill than himself.

At Utica on May 23, 1871, he was married to Sarah Olive Fegtly, who with their five children survive him. The children are Mrs. Albert E. Smith of Madison, Wis.; Mrs. Thomas S. Wells, of this city, Jason Adams Randall of New London, Ia.' Thomas N. Randall of Chicago, Ill., and Jennie N. Randall of Mt. Pleasant, Ia. One sister, Mrs. James Woodson of Centerville, Ill., and numerous nieces, nephews and eight grand children, to whom the decedent was very devoted, also survive.

Dr. Randall was a Mason and was a member of the G.A.R. post at Birmingham, Ia. He was a member of the Sir Knights commandery at Keosauqua, Ia.

General Breakdown in Health

A year ago he suffered a general breakdown in health which made him an invalid. Shortly after New Year's Day of 1909 he suffered an attack of gripe and pneumonia and this illness left him weak and suffering from heart trouble. Competent nursing and skilled attention held him to life until Sunday evening, April 3.

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

Devoted to his family it was characteristic of him that in his last illness all earthly affairs should fade into insignificance except his family ties. In the affect of his dear ones he took his greatest comfort and his only regret at passing away was leaving the hitherto unbroken family circle. Tenacious to a principle he thought right and all he believed he believed with intensity. Thus he was loyalty itself in friendship, firm in his opinions on political or other questions of the day, denouncing deceit and hypocrisy wherever found. This trait of character was manifest in the fight he made against death itself, rallying again and again after his life was despaired of.

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, thought every man as honest as himself, and unscrupulous ones often took advantage of this trust.

Member of Methodist Church

He was converted to Christ early in life and joined the Methodist church, remaining steadfast in the good faith until his death. In his last weeks of life he often talked of "walking on the other side," "crossing the river and going home," and repeatedly said, "I'm not afraid," A few evenings before the end came he asked for the reading of the twenty-third Psalm and afterward said: "It won't be long until my pastures are green."

His memory will be cherished, not only by the sorrowing family, but also by those whose pathway he has smoothed and by the many to whom he ministered bi bygone days.

Source: Unkown Newspaper Clipping 1910