The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1893-03-28
MR.. NV. RAND0LHDEAD
yr PASSED AwAr ON SUNDAY zs-
TENED By ALI CITIZENS.
starting a. Boy, by the Incentives Of Am
hilton and Hope He Became One of tho
Best known Men of Virginia.

morning At iV.oV y SiVSh aiVii ot. refer
cathedral.
Mr.. Randolph led a blameless life-a life
flu Of Christian charity and love. He
was noted for his pleasant courtesies and
was n familiar figure on our streets for
nearly half a century. lie bore his suffer-
mss with resignation. and died In The
hope Of a glorious resurrection.
The following biography, written by
Mt. r. a. Brock. appeared In Virginia
cousins" by g. Brown Goode.
Joseph W. Randolph. the oldest living
bookseller and publisher OF Richmond.
vas born at Chester Lodge" August
3D. 1915. His parents were married I'm
Philadelphia. Pa, April 20, 1893. His
father died in Hanover county, Va. Octo-
Der IS, 1870. His mother died October
DID, lSl5. In Rocky Ridge or Manchester.
Aa. His father was like many Virginians.
~ generous and impulsive nature. and in
che heat OF his enthusiasm his possessions
melted away. His good and wise mother
died when he was nine years old and he
f.ll TO the care OF his grandmother, Mrs.
Lucy Ward Randolph, who moved 10
Richmond about 1915. and subsequently
~ rried Dr. Higginbotham.
Among the recollections of his boyhood
IS % vivid one OF the second visit TO Rich
mond. I'm 1924. OF La Fayette. and Joining
il the procession in his honor He was
present when the generous patriot called
on his grandmother. and saw him, with
customary gallantry, kiss her. In 1929.
being in his fourteenth year, he entered
The employment OF John H. Nash, book
seller thus beginning his life's connec-
ton with the material and intellectual
interest Of Richmond. His compensation
Tor the first year was the meagre sum
Of 80 which was increased in the follow
irg year TO $3.50. In 1881 Mr.. Nash failed
in business. and young Randolph was
continued by the trustees Of Mr.. Nash
IA custody Of stock to sell Il of by retail
~ the final sale he purchased books and
stationery TO the amount Of $500. and COM
ucnced business on his own account in
a building on Twelfth street, opening
in the same connection a circulating
library. In 1884 he bought out the stock
of a bookseller in Norfolk, Va. and moved
there. associating himself with his uncle,
Josiah b. Abbott (of the firm of Peasants
x Abbott. proprietOrs of the Richmond
Wing newspaper, under the name Of j.
vs.. Randolph & 60. 1t was a small be-
ginning, yet in three years the value Of
their stock had increased TO $1,000.
In the panic Of 1867, when specie pay
mcnt was suspended and there was a
scarcity Of silver for change. no nozs
being IN circulation Of less denomination
Thomas Williamson, cashier of the Vir-
pinia Bank. of Norfolk. issued notes as
currency Of the value from ~ 1-2 cents
L. 81. 10 the amount OF $4,000 which was
circulated by the bank. These "shin-
Ulasters." as they were termed. were re-
deemed by the issuers when presented in
sums Of s. and upwards. Mr.. Abbott,
becoming seriously involved by delusive
investment in the stock Of THE Fir-
einia cold Mining Company" his estate
Was sold to meet his losses. The business
OF j. W. Randolph q Co. was moved to
Richmond. and Mr. Abbott took charge
of the financial affairs Of the firm, which
in 1872 bought out the stock and goodwin
OF Richard ID. Sanxay, bookseller and
binder. and entered upon a career Of
increased prosperity but Mr.. Abbott,
indOrsing the notes of Thomas II. Drew,
who failed j. ". Randolph & Co. were
left with a liability on their account OF
81 900. which amount Mr.. Randolph most
houoraby, on his own account. as the
successor Of his firm, undertook with the
assets OF Drew to pay in four years.
This. by strenuous efforts he accom-
plished. although the assets Of Drew
yielded but 40 per cent of the amount OF
his liabilities. Every creditor received
the fun amount of his claim with interest
but one. James Dunlop. who, In attesta-
ton OF the singular honesty Of Mr. Ran
urging that the principal alone was more
than double the amount the effects of
Drew had yielded. After the liquidation
Of this debt Mr.. Abbott became again
associated with Mr.. Randolph until his
death in lS49 from which time Mr. Ran
dolph continued the business alone in
his own name, with success and reputa-
ton. until the disastrous fire incident
upon the evacuation OF Richmond, April
g. 1866. which destroyed his establish
inent. swept away the chief part Of the
available accumulation Of his life Uhe
earnings Of the war were invested in
Confederate bonds and other war securi-
ues) A small house near the city and
two other small places alone remained,
and TO the farm he repaired. vainly at
tempting there TO support his FAMILY.
Inc farm and other real estate was sub
sequently sold and the proceeds OF the
sale devoted TO the payment OF Northern
creditors, whom he had been deoarred
from raging during the continuance OF
the war.
In 1866 Mr.. Randolph recommended
business on a borrowed capitai Oh VIM
only associating with him Joseph j. Eng
Nsh fwho had learned the trade Of book
binder in his employ. under the hrm
name OF J. w. Randolph & English III
may be Of interest TO note that the mouse
occupied by them was the same In whlch
Dir Randolph had commenced business
IL 1872. A friendly editor said OF Mr.
Eandolph's post Dellum career that when
le commenced his business he could nave
taken his stock in a wheelbarrow, ana
that now II would take steamboat 10
remove it." The present commoulous
establishment Of the firm, comprising the
best appointed book-bindery and the
largest and most valuable stock OF BOOKS
n the Southern States. Is located at
Nos 1902 and 1904 east Main street. Inc
frm OF which MIR Randolph has been the
head has ever been characterized by en-
terprise fidelity and probity' ana II Is
noteworthy that from the period OF the
embarrassment in 1872 he has conducteu
his business without giving negouapie
notes or like obligations.
The publications issued by MS mouse
have been numerous and valuable, anu
have been effective In fostering the pest
Interests OF Virginia and in CONTRIBUTES
o her progress. Mr. Randolph was not
in active service in the field during the
War. but was a member of the ambulance
CORDS. a body OF sterling citizens VINO
reformed essential service In the care
of the sick and wounded Of the Conieo'
crate army So the neld, camp ana hospitah
The following extract from the hleh-
uord Enouirer Of March 8. 1868. may DC
wofthuy cited here as exhibiting anke u
Characteristic trait Of Mr.. Randoiph anu
ha devotion 70 the Southern cause
ftocLlolder Of the BelVidere MahuiaV'uI