Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1872-08-06
Death of Ex-G Governor Alexander w.
Randall
From the State JournalA


es the death of ex Governor ALExAN
DER w. RANDALL He died at biz
present residence in Elmira, New
York on the Goth ofJuly. The disease
which proved fatal is reported tC
have been "BRIGHT's disease Of the
kidneys, accompanied by paraly tic
attack of the ' vocal organs"
Gov RANDALL was a native of New
York. Hewas born in Copperstown
in that State, in about the year 1919
and was SD years of age at the time
of bi5 death. OF his early life We
know but little. After passing
through his school days he read law
Soon after his admission TO the bar
he removed to Wisconsin, and locat-
ed at Prairieville, (now Waukesha, )
in this State. His genial manner
soon called around him a large circle
of friends, and he became rapidly
known throughout the then Ter
ritory, as young man of brilliant
prospects. He commenced the prac-
tice of his profession with fair show
of success, but his love of political
life was so great, and he devoted so
much time to that subject, as to in
terfere considerably with his legal
practice.
In politics, Governor RANDALL was
originally Democrat. His political
life has DOT been entirely consistent.
He was always jealous in the cause
he espoused, and working member
of the party with which he acted.
His first appearance at the Capital
officially, was as member of the
first Constitutional Convention in
1916. He was then quite q young
man, and he took prominent position
in that body. In 1e49, when the
great Free Soil movement of that
year was inaugurated, Governor Ran
dali was prominent in it. He did not
harmonic long with this party, but
soon fell back into the ranks of the
regular Democracy. In 1851, ex~
Governor BARsTnw became the Dem
ocratic candidate for Secretary of
State. He and Governor RANDALL
were residents of the same village;
were both aspiring young men; aud
soon became active if not bitter, ri>
walls for prefeIment
In the fall of 1854, Mr.. RANDALL
was elected as an independent D9m-
ocrat, member of the next Assem-
bly,, against the regular nominee of
the party. On most questions hav.
ing political bearing, Mr.. RANDALL
acted with the Republicans. From
this time he was considered as iden
tilted with the Republican organiza-
ton. At the Republican State Con-
vention for the nomination of tick.
ct for State officers, in 1855, Mr..
Randall was placed upon it for Attor-
ney General He made gallant
canvass, but was defeated, as were
the others upon the ticket, with the
exception of Governor.
In 1857, he was nominated as the
Republican candidate for Governor,
and was elected. He entered upon
his duties on the 1st of January, 1858,
aud discharged them with such abili-
ty and satisfaction to the people, that
he was reelected in 1859. The Sec
ond term carried him through the
year 1861, the first year Of the late
war. lie was one of the very best
war Governors in the country. The
ability, energy and boldness, with
which he labored in the organization
of troops for the service, was greatly
admired by all the loyal people in
this State, and gave Gov. RANDALL
a national reputation as an able and
patriotic man. His record as Gov
ernor, was q proud one, and for his
course at that time, the people of
Wisconsin will ever remember with
respect.
In 1861, Gov. RANDALL was can
didate for United States Senator.
The contest was sharp one The
candidates were Gov. RANDALL,C. G.
WAsHBURN, present Governor, and
Hon. T. o. HOWE. After several bal
lots were taken in the nominating
caucus, Gov. RANDALL withdrew from
the contest, and NEST of his friends
gave their votes to Mr.. Howe, who
was nominated and elected.
At the close of his term as Govern
or, President Lincoln appointed Gov.
RANDALL Minister to Rome, which
position he filled for short time, in
q manner satisfactory to the Govern
ment. In 1865, he was appointed
Assistant Postmaster General of the
United States, under Hon. VIM DEN
NIsoN, of Ohio, who was at the head
of the Postoffice Department. When
President JOHNSON separated from
the Republican party, Gov. RANDALL
united his political fortunes with the
President, and on the resignation of
Mr.. DENNisoN, he became Postmaster
General, which position he held I'M
til the end of Mr.. JoHNsoN's term.
In following the fortunes of Mr..
JOHNSON, Gov. RANDALL naturally
drifted into the Democratic party,
with which organization he has since
acted, though be has held no official
position since March 4, 1869. All
in all, Gov. RANDALL possessed many
excellent qualities of head aud heart;
and his memory will be cherished
with high respect by the people of
this State. He committed errors
some that caused his friends re-
greet; but they will soon be forgotten,
while his good deeds will be embalm-
ed in the affections of the people.
For his manly and patriotic course
during the late rebellion, the people
will ever respect and honor his
name; and this action will 90 far to
blot from memory all the acts to
which exception has been taken.
For the good he has done, ALExANDER
w. RANDALL will be kindly remem,
bered by his friends. and now, that
he has gone to bis final rest, the err
rors he may have committed will be
forgiven and forgotten by the good
people of Wisconsin.
ma Seven different administration