Representative McKercher John Randall View All Years

MAC J. RANDALL.

MR. SPEAKER—Your committee appointed to prepare appropriate resolutions commemorating the life, character and public service of the Honorable Mac J. Randall, a member of the Thirty-seventh General Assembly, beg leave to submit the following report:

Mac J. Randall was born in Worth County, Iowa, May 17, 1872, and died at his home in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, May 8, 1918. He obtained his education in the rural schools, Northwood High School, Iowa State College at Ames, Union Seminary at New Berlin, Pennsylvania, and Drake University. He graduated at Cornell College in 1899, and from the law department of the State University of Iowa in 1901.

After graduating from the State University he practiced law in Mt. Vernon and Lisbon until 1908; and while residing in Lisbon he served as a member of the school board and also occupied the office of town mayor.

Mr. Randall was a member of the United Evangelical Church and was licensed as a minister of that church in1894 and ordained in 1897, and during the few years that followed served as pastor at Afton, Lisbon and Cedar Rapids. He was for several years a member of the board of directors of Western Union College, located at LeMars, Iowa, and a member of the board of education of the United Evangelical Church.

In the local church in Cedar Rapids he held at one time or another every office in the church, and was at the time of his death its Sunday school superintendent, and also president of the board of directors of the Young Men’s Christian Association of Cedar Rapids.

Mr. Randall was united in marriage with Miss Caroline Stahl, of Lisbon, February 25, 1897, and she survives him, together with their son, John Randall, now a student in Coe College. Mr. Randall’s mother is still living at Manly, Iowa, his father having died in September, 1917.

He always took great interest in fraternal orders, being a member of several of them, and served as Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows in 1914-15, and was Grand Representative from Iowa to its Supreme Lodge in 1917 and 1918.

Mr. Randall moved to Cedar Rapids in 1908 and took up the active practice of law at that place. As a lawyer he devoted himself conscientiously to his work, prepared his cases with great care, and met with very marked success. At the time of his death he had just reached the years when his greatest energy and earnestness, coupled with a wide and accurate knowledge of the law, made him a very formidable opponent in any case, whether before the court or jury. He went to the heart of a case with directness and force, and his ability as an orator was by no means the least of his accomplishments.

Mr. Randall rapidly became one of the most influential men in his community and county, always exerting that influence for the good of the community and state, while his kindly manner made for him a host of friends. He was especially noticeable for his unselfish interest in all good work and his strong, firm and uncompromising stand for the right on all social, moral and religious questions. He was one of the most congenial of men, always considerate of the feelings and rights of others; he was always ready to assist and was a cheerful, wise and far-seeing counsellor and leader. Authough in failing health during the last year of his life, he took an active part in all the war activity campaings, making several speeches throughout the district in each campaign.

In his family life and as a member of many social orders; as a leader in educational and religious work; and as a public officer, he was in everything worthy of the respect, confidence and love of his associates and friends, and an example to the rising generation in right-living and manly conduct.

At the election in 1916, Mr. Randall was chosen Representative from Linn County in the Thirty-seventh General Assembly. As a member of the Legislature, he was always ready to listen, to investigate, to discuss, and to give and take when it seemed fair and right, but never willing to compromise with wrong. He was an untiring worker and a man of broad vision and generous sympathies, and he easily ranked as one of the ablest and most popular members of the House of Representatives.

At the time of his death he was the sole candidate of his party for re-nomination in the primary election that was to take place the following month.

His death was a distinct loss to the State, as well as a personal loss to the members of the Legislature who served with him, and who were saddened by missing his face on their return at the next session; and they all join with the new members who knew him only be reputation, in this expression of grief and sorrow at his untimely death.

Therefore, Be It Resolved, That the House of Representatives takes this occasion to present this tribute to the memory of a faithful public servant, and to express appreciation of his character and public service, and at the same time extends to his widow and relatives most sincere sympathy.

And the Celrk of the House is hereby directed to enter these resolutions upon the Journal of the House and forward a copy thereof to the family of the deceased.

C. F. CLARK,

E. A. LARSON,

DOUGLAS ROGERS,

Committee.