Louisiana AHGP

Part of the American History and Genealogy Project

William H. Randel

William H. Randel, a native of Madison County, Tennessee, born October 9, 1841, has ever been occupied in tilling the soil, and the manner in which he acquired his present estate denotes him to be a man of original and progressive views. His parents, Tilmon and Martha B. Randel, were also Tennesseans, and in 1849 removed to Arkansas, and until December, 1854, were residents of Ouachita County, coming at that date to Louisiana, and locating in Claiborne Parish, where Mr. Randel passed to his long home in 1855, his widow surviving him until 1884, when she, too, passed away. The father was a tiller of the soil throughout his life, and for a number of years prior to his death, was an earnest member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. His three sons and two daughters are still living and are the heads of families.

William H. Randel came to this State and parish with his parents in 1855, and here has lived ever since his fourteenth year. Although he was an earnest student while in school, he was compelled to drop his books at an early day and take up work on the farm. In February, 1862, he enlisted in the Confederate Army and served in the Twelfth Louisiana Infantry until the close of the war, being in the battles of Corinth, Baker's Creek, Jackson, Resaca, Peach Tree Creek, Kenesaw Mountain, New Hope Church, Atlanta, Franklin, Nashville and numerous skirmishes. He was taken prisoner at Nashville, and was held until the following March, 1865, when he was paroled and returned to his home. He was under fire over 100 times, and was in some heavy skirmishes.

After the war he settled down in Claiborne Parish, and was here married on December 19, 1872, to Miss Sallie C. McKinley, who was born, reared and educated in Claiborne Parish. Her father, H. B. McKinley, was formerly from the old North Carolina State. After his marriage Mr. Randel bought his present plantation, and of the 100 acres which he owns, he has 100 acres under cultivation, on which is a commodious, new and substantial residence, besides other good buildings. Mr. Randel had to commence at the bottom of the ladder at the close of the war and by his own exertions has accumulated what he now has, and is considered one of the substantial agriculturists of Ward 3. He and his wife have a family of six children: Hugh Tilmon, Martha, Ardelia, Etta, William and Sallie W., the parents of these children have long been members of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, and Mr. Randel is a member of the A, F. & A. M.

Biographical Sketches| Claiborne Parish

Source: Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Northwest Louisiana, Southern Publishing Company, 1890