WROTE HIS OWN OBITUARY.

______

John M. Randall Pioneer and Soldier,

Died Here Saturday.

The following obituary of the late John M. Randall was written by himself sometime ago. The only additions made are the date of his death, the fact that he is survived by his wife, and the last paragraph of this notice.

John M. Randall was born April 25, 1846, in Pleasant county, Va., and died at Erie, Kansas, March 17, 1917. He moved with his parents to Ritchie county, Va., when he was a year old, and resided there until February 21, 1862, when he enlisted in Company K, 10th West Virginia Infantry. He was wounded at Droop Mountain, West Virginia, November 6, 1863. After recovering from his injuries he was sent back to his regiment and on the day of General Sheridan’s famous ride, October 19, 1864, at Cedar Creek, Va., he was again wounded. He then lay in the hospitals at Baltimore and Philadelphia and was finally mustered out of the service at the hospital at Parkerburg, West Virginia on May 10, 1865.

The following September he moved with his parents to Edgar county, Ill., and October 24, 1866, he was united in marriage with Miss Eliza Elisbury at Bloomfield, Ill. To this union four children were born, one son and three daughters. One daughter, Laura B. died July 5, 1880. The other children who with their mother survive him are: Minnie H. wife of W. M. Franks of Kingman, Kan.; W. M. Randall of Fergon, Okla., and Myrtle, wife of E. M. Mock of Erie.

He came to Kansas in 1872 and took a claim one mile west of where the town of Savonburg is now located where he lived for twelve years. This place he sold and bought a claim in Grant township where he lived 11 years, or until 1895 when he again sold out and moved to Erie where he has since lived.

He was converted when 21 years of age and united with the Methodist Episcopal church. He was also a member of the Erie Post G. A. R.

He was elected Commander of the Post in 1907 and again in 1917 and was serving as Commander at the time, of his death. The testimony of his comrades is that he was a loyal member of the Post and an efficient commander. Funeral services were conducted Tuesday afternoon at the home by Rev. H. H. Fowler, pastor of the M. E. church and burial was made at Erie cemetery.