John J Randall is born
1/1/1845
c 1845
Portrait and Biographical Record of Queens County (Long Island) New York Containing Portraits and Biographical Sketches of Prominent and Representative Citizens of the County 1896
Classed among the prominent and highly honored citizens of Freeport, L. I., stands the name of John J. Randall, whose record for honesty and uprightness stands second to none. He was born in Suffolk County in 1845, a son of Jehial W. Randall and Marietta (Morehouse) Randall. The father was also a native of Suffolk County, and spent his entire life there. A public spirited and thorough-going citizen, he gave his hearty support to all worthy enterprises. He held a number of local positions, discharged the duties most efficiently, and was highly respected by all who knew him. His wife, who was, born in Fairfield, Conn., is still living, although she has reached the venerable age of four score and two years.
John J. Randall had the advantages of the district schools during his youth and subsequently attended school for a time at Port Jefferson, L. I. He grew up on the farm of his father and when sixteen years old went to sea, making several trips. Not liking the “life on the ocean wave” he returned home and began learning the carpenter’s trade, and after completing it engaged in business with his brother in Brooklyn. They followed building for ten years and then, on account of failing health, John J. sold his interest in the business and purchased a farm in Suffolk County. After tilling the soil for about four years he returned to Brooklyn and embarked in building and selling, meeting with unusual success. Later he took in as partner W. G. Miller and the firm, which became Randall & Miller, is still doing business in Brooklyn.
In 1885 Mr. Randall came to Freeport, and came and went daily from Brooklyn for eight years. For the past two years he has been quite busy with affairs in Freeport. He has bought and built some of the handsomest buildings in this section and is a popular and influential business man. He is president of and a large owner in the Freeport Land Company, and he and his partner have about five hundred acres here and much other land besides. Mr. Randall is now completing a very fine residence for himself in Randall Park and this, when completed, will contain all the modern improvements up to date.
Mr. Randall selected his life companion in the person of Miss Sarah J. Davis of Port Jefferson, L. I. She died about ten years after their marriage, leaving one son, Ernest S., who is a graduate of Columbia College and now a successful architect. In 1880 Mr. Randall was again married, his second wife being Miss Mary F. Overton, daughter of Hampton Overton of Suffolk County. They have two children, Lena F. and J.J., Jr. The parents are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church and Mr. Randall was very instrumental in the founding of the church at Freeport. It now has three hundred members and a Sabbath-school of five hundred. In politics Mr. Randall is a stanch supporter of Republican principles and has abiding faith in his party.
Our subject was one of the founders of the Freeport Bank, of which he has been president since its organization. He was instrumental in the building up of the school, of which the citizens of Freeport are so justly proud, and takes a deep interest in every movement of importance. Randall & Miller are now building a canal three-quarters of a mile in length from the mainland to the bay, and this will be of much benefit to the city. Mr. Randall is a very progressive citizen and no one has done more for Freeport, perhaps, in the short time he has been here, than he.