Jasper County Democrat, Volume 23, Number 1, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 31 March 1920 — JAMES T. RANDLE IS DEAD [ARTICLE]

JAMES T. RANDLE IS DEAD

Pioneer Citizen Passes Away at Age of Over 88 Years. James T. Randle, one of the oldest continuous residents of Jasper county and one of the very few remaining pioneers who blazed the path and saw the county develop from almost a wilderness to its present-day place among the best agricultural counties in Indiana, passed peacefully away at his home on the corner of Cullen and Susan streets at 4 o’clock Sunday morning at the ripe old age of 88 years, 5 and 19 days. - Mr. Randle was one of Jasper county’s most highly honored and respected citizens who, by industry and economy and the exercise of sound business judgment, acquired a very comfortable competency of thft world’s goods. It was interesting to talk with him of the pioneer days of Jasper county and of selfdenial and strict economy that had to be practiced by the early settlers here. The funeral was held yesterday afternoon at 2:30 o’clock from the Methodist church, services being conducted by the pastor, Rev. E. W. Strecker, and burial made in Weston cemetery. Deceased is survived by four children, Thomas Randle of Hope, Kas.; Robert Randle of Parsons, Kas.; Mrs. D. S. Makeever of Newton township, and Edward J. Randle of this city. All the children were here for the funeral. James T. Randle, the eldest son of Thomas and Nancy. Randle, was born in Hampshire county, W. V., Oct., 10, 1831, and died Meh. 28, 1920, at the age of 88 years, 5 months and 17 days. As an infant he traveled with his parents in a covered wagon and after a journey of 27 days over rough ways, through forests and swamps, they located about four miles south of the present city of Delphi, Ind. Jn 1834 his father secured lands in wnat is now Barkley township, Jasper county, and in the spring of 1835 he moved his family to his newly acquired lands. These few acres were the nucleus of the farm which under the successful management or the father, Thomas, and the son, James T., grew to greater proportions. His entire life was spent on the farm in Jasper county until he moved to Rensselaer in 1883, where he had lived ever since. In 1854 he married Mary E. Overton, whose parents were also among the early settlers of Hanging Grove, and whose death occurred Aug. 14, 1877 ‘To this union were born five children, Robert of Parsons, Kas.; Thomas of Hope, Kas.; John A., whose death occurred 18 months ago; Emeline Makeever, and Edward J., of Rensselaer. On Nov. 24, 1878, he married Ruth A. Harris, daughter of Rial B. Benijamin and the widow of Wm. Harris. She died Jan. 24, 1898. pn May 25, 1899, he married his third wlfte, Mrs. Julia Enslen, who died May 14, 1910. When a young man he joined the Christian church. Later he became a m ember of the Barkley M. E. church and after 1883, when he came to Rensselaer to live, he transferred his membership to the Rensselaer M. E. church. „ He is survived by one brother, Nelson Randle, of this city; four ' children, 14 grandchildren and two great' grandchildren.