Randall, John A. "Jack" (1844-1915)

Evening Kansan-Republican obituary: 1915 Dec 11 p. 1

J. A. RANDALL DIED THIS MORNING

Friends of J. A. Randall, familiarly known in Newton as Jack Randall, were shocked this morning to hear of his sudden death which occurred at the ranch of Mr. Randall which is about ten miles north of Burrton. He went to the ranch about three days ago intending to stay several days as is his custom on making trips there. Nothing definite has been heard as to the particulars of his death, but it is possible that it is heart failure, as it was known that he had been subjected to heart attacks recently.

Mr. Randall is an extensive land owner and also owns much property among which is the Randall building at the corner of Main and Fifth streets. He is survived by his brother, Captain George Randall who manages the Randall ranch near Burrton and a brother and sister whose homes are in Ohio.

C. F. Claassen and P. Lander motored to the ranch this afternoon to assist in making funeral arrangements.

---

Evening Kansan-Republican obituary: 1915 Dec 13 p. 8

PLANS ARE MADE FOR THE FUNERAL

J. A. Randall To Be Buried From Presbyterian Church Thursday

The body of John A. Randall whose death occurred at his ranch near Burrton Saturday morning, was brought to Newton Saturday evening and friends may see him at the Sprinker Chapel at any time Wednesday. The funeral is to be held at the Presbyterian church Thursday afternoon at 2:00 o'clock.

D. V. Randall, a brother arrived this morning from Westerville, Ohio, and other relatives are expected here for the funeral.

Mr. Randall's death must have occurred after a very brief attach of heart trouble to which he had been subjected the past few weeks. He went to the ranch early in the week to oversee some repairs and was superintending some new approaches to be made to a bridge about 100 yards distance from the ranch home, Saturday morning. He evidently felt the illness coming on him for while he was instructing a workman just what to do with the approaches, he remarked that he could leave the job go until Monday and he would tell him how to go about it. He turned from the man whom he was talking and went to the residence, walked through a room in which his brother Capt. George Randall was sitting and into his own room. It was but a few minutes his brother says until he heard the sound of a chair moving and looking into the room saw his brother lying on the floor and he gasped a few times and then expired.

Mr. Randall was one of the early day settlers of Newton, having been a resident of the city for the past forty-two years. He was born at Nashport, Muskingum county, Ohio, April 14, 1844 and spent his early boyhood days at the parental farm near that town. He came to Newton from Nashport in 1873 and was associated with the Santa Fe Land Office here. This office was later incorporated by Muse & Spivey Lumber company which Mr. Randall continued to be associated until the company was succeeded by The Chicago Lumber Co.

He invested in farms in the vicinity of Newton, and in real estate and has superintended his lands and carried on a real estate business since that time. His former office for many ywas on the south side, but for several years he has occupied an office at the rear of the Kansas State Bank.

He had been a heavy stockholder and a director in several Newton banks in the early days, including the Harvey County bank, the German National and the Newton National banks. When the Kansas State bank was organized in 1902, Mr. Randall was elected a director and continued to be thus associated with the bank until his death.

After purchasing his ranch near Burrton, Mr. Randall spent much time looking after many details of the farm and it was one of his pleasures to continue to make frequent trips to the ranch. He acquired his lands and property from time to time during his residence here and is now well known as one of the wealthiest men in the county. He always had the interest of a public spirited man of the community, in every worth while enterprise, and when the building he owned at the corner of Fifth and Main street was destroyed by fire several years ago, he replaced it after making trips to various cities to determine what would be the best material to use in every way, making the building, now known as the Randall building one of the very best in Newton.

Though a public spirited man, Mr. Randall never sought public office and was not even a member of any lodge or organization, but his prudent judgement of things of a public nature was sought by the citizens of Newton, and in all the projects that he considered worth while he gave liberally. While not a member of any church, he donated to new church edifices or to remodeling of churches whenever he received requests.

Being of a reticent, unassuming manner, little has ever been heard of the many good things, accomplished by Mr. Randell and it is only his closest business associates or those who have known him all the years he has been here, who can tell of his good works, and many incidents have been related by his acquaintances and friends which give evidence of the gentle heart of this man.

He is survived by his two brothers D. V. Randall of Websterfield, O., and George, who is manager of the ranch, and by several nephews and nieces. A sister whose home was in Ohio passed away a few years ago and his brother, Charles, who was once a resident of Newton has preceded him to their eternal home.

---

Evening Kansan-Republican obituary: 1915 Dec 15 p. 1

Text of obituary:

PROCLIMATION [sic]

Whereas an all-wise Divine Creator has removed from amongst our fellow townsmen, J. A. Randall, who from the earliest days of our city has been identified with our community interests, and whose figure has been familiar to the greater portion of our people for more than a generation, and

Whereas Mr. Randall was a man of wide business relation, and liberality and fair-minded generosity has had much to do with our community development, and the acquisition of many of our public institutions; and his loyal support has always helped in sustaining the burden of our civic welfare, therefore,

Pursuing the suggestion of numerous of his friends as well as my own desires, and by the authority vested in my office as Mayor of Newton,

I hereby proclaim that so far as practicable all places of business in the city of Newton be closed on Thursday, December 16, during the hour of 2:00 to 3:00 o'clock p. m., at which period the funeral of our departed townsman will be conducted.

It is fitting that his associates and fellow business men be afforded this opportunity to pay their respect to his memory, and to show their appreciation and devotion to so loyal and lovable a character.

Given under my hand, this the 15th day of December, 1915.

A. J. DUFF, Mayor.

---