Biography - H Randle
H. N. RANDLE. The first question that agitates a public is the question of food supplies, and it can but be admitted that the well-appointed grocery store is the principal factor in solving the problem. Due reference is made to the substantial and well-conducted house of which Mr. Randle is the proprietor, and which has gained in popular favor until it is one of the leading concerns of the kind in the county. He was born in Jersey County, this State, January 19, 1842, on a farm near the town of Jerseyville, a son of James G. and Jennie (White) Randle, the former being of Scotch descent. Just when his ancestors settled in this country is a matter of conjecture, but there is little doubt that his grandfather, Peter Randle, was born in North Carolina about the close of the Revolutionary War. In that State, James G. Randle was also born, in 1811, and in 1820 he and his parents are found on the bleak prairies of Illinois, near what is now Edwardsville, Madison County. About the year 1832, they took up their abode in Jersey County, and here James G. was married to Miss White, who was born in this State, to which her parents emigrated from Georgia at an early day. Both James Randle and his wife lived to a ripe old age, the former passing to his reward in Nokomis in 1879, and the latter in Jersey County about 1875.
H. N. Randle was brought up to a knowledge of the calling of agriculture and received a fair common-school education. At the age of eighteen years, he commenced to learn the mason's trade in Jerseyville, which occupation he successfully followed in that place and in Nokomis until about ten years ago, when he entered the extensive establishment of G. S. Upstom, of Nokomis, as manager of his grocery department, where he continued for eight years, his services being very satisfactory and highly appreciated by his employer. At the end of this time, he established himself in the grocery and queensware business on his own account and brought, besides energy and intelligence, long experience to bear, evidence of which is amply attested by the liberal patronage he already controls. To show in what high esteem he is held by his townsmen and fellow-citizens, it is but necessary to state that for four years, ending in the spring of 1892, he was Mayor of the town, and has held the office of Town Clerk, Tax Collector, and is at present filling the office of Assessor. He has always been a Republican of pronounced type, as was his father before him. His grandfather abhorred the institution of slavery so much that it was his chief reason for leaving his native State.
H. N. Randle has been married twice, his first union being celebrated in 1864 in Jersey County, Ill., Miss Catherine Irwin, a daughter of Samuel C. Irwin, becoming his wife. She was born in Jersey County and died in 1874, leaving two children, one boy and one girl, the former of whom, Charles, is a young man of about twenty-four years of age, and is a jeweler of Lexington, Ill. The daughter, Nellie, is a young lady aged twenty-one years, and, having completed her education, is now at home. Miss Delia Coon became Mr. Handle's second wife in 1879. She was born in Jersey County, and is an intelligent and agreeable lady. Mr. Randle is active in the Independent Order of Odd Fellows' lodge, and he is also a worthy member of the honorable order of the Knights of Pythias. He is a whole-souled, generous and public-spirited gentleman, and as a business man spares no effort to please and satisfy each and every one of his numerous patrons. The premises occupied by him are of ample dimensions and contain a fine stock of staple and fancy groceries, which will bear favorable comparison with that displayed by any similar establishment in his section. Popular prices prevail and business is always done on the square.
Extracted 04 Dec 2016 by Norma Hass from 1892 Portrait and Biographical Record of Montgomery and Bond Counties, Illinois, pages 152-155.
