Biography - ABEL S. RANDOLPH

The agricultural interests of both Macoupin and Montgomery counties found a worthy representative in Abel Stell Randolph, now deceased, who is remembered as a man of unimpeachable character and acknowledged ability in his chosen calling. He was born in Somerset county, New Jersey, August 5, 1831, and died at his home in Montgomery county, near the Macoupin county line, August 18, 1898. He was a son of Lewis and Mary (Compton) Randolph, both of whom were natives of New Jersey. In 1837 the father came west with his family and located in what is now Jersey county, Illinois. He engaged in agricultural pursuits and none appreciated more than he the value of the rich land of his section. He acquired the title to considerable property in Jersey county and also by means of a Mexican land warrant entered a section of government land in Bois d’Arc township, Montgomery county, sending his son Abel in 1855 to his newly acquired holdings to plant a Bois d’Arc hedge around the place. In his family were the following children: Almira, deceased; Abel S., of this review; Harriet, the wife of T. Moore; Catherine, who married James Clapp; Ruth; and Peter; deceased. The father died at an advanced age, October 8, 1892, and his death was sincerely mourned by a large circle of friends and acquaintances.

Abel S. Randolph secured such education as was afforded by the country schools of Jersey county and as he grew to manhood became, under his father’s guidance, thoroughly acquainted with all the details of farm work. He told a contemporary biographer how he cultivated the soil with a wooden plow drawn at times by as many as ten yoke of oxen, and it would be difficult to find a better tribute to the work thus accomplished or a more striking description as to the manner of its accomplishment than that written by Henry L. Kiner, of Geneseo, Illinois, under the title of “Ode to Glenn’s Old Wooden Plow,” which is as follows:

Three yoke of straining oxen toiled o’er the spangled sod;
’Twas springtime in the ’30s and the land was fresh from, God.
In the rear the virgin furrow shone along the virgin soil —
’Twas the first of multi-millions to reward the yeoman’s toil.
Old plow, thy wooden moldboard a statehouse dost adorn;
Thou art the antecedent of untold stores of corn;
The pioneer precursor of a golden gift of wealth,
The harbinger of happiness, of honor, homes and health.
O, origin of opulence, I bow my head to thee!
O, Glenn, you builded better than you knew, it seems to me;
For with this plow you only thought to open up a field,
An Empire rose before you, with all its royal yield!

At the age of twenty-four years Mr. Randolph left his home in Jersey county and located on the section of land which his father had secured in Montgomery county. He worked upon this place for a time and during the next few years also assisted in work of the home farm. In i860 he located permanently in Montgomery county, where he owned one hundred and sixty acres of land. Later he acquired forty acres adjoining his property, across the line in Sangamon county. He was closely identified with agricultural pursuits for nearly forty years, setting an example of industry and perseverance eminently worthy of imitation. He made steady progress in his business and gained recognition as one of the substantial men of the community. br>
On the 9th of June, 1869, Mr. Randolph was married to Miss Minerva Edwards, a native of Scioto county, Ohio, born October 27, 1838. Her parents were Andrew and Mary (Darlington) Edwards, the former a native of Pennsylvania and the latter of Ohio. They came to Jersey county, Illinois; in 1838, and were among the pioneer settlers of that locality. Of their four children Henry, William and Minerva are now living. George, the youngest, was born November 15, 1844, and died March 24, 1900. The daughter Minerva was reared to womanhood in Jersey county and remained with her parents until her marriage to Mr. Randolph. This union was blessed by the birth of one son, Henry M., who is now living with his mother. br>
The success of Mr. Randolph was not due to luck or chance but rather to his unremitting energy, sound judgment and strict integrity. Politically he adhered to the republican party and religiously he affiliated with the Methodist Episcopal church. The property which he acquired is still owned by his widow who resides at Virden. She also owns the home in which she is living and two other residences. She devotes her time largely to benevolent and philanthropic work and is one of the prominent members and a liberal supporter of the Methodist Episcopal church of Virden.

Extracted 18 May 2018 by Norma Hass from History of Macoupin County, Illinois: Biographical and Pictorial, by Charles A. Walker, published in 1911, Volume 2, pages 80-84.