Mrs. Sarah Randall
Mrs. Sarah Randall, who will be 90 years old, should her life be spared until the 14th. of February, next, is the oldest member of the Baptist congregation in Mansfield. She was baptized by immersion in the Mac-a-cheek over 50 years ago, and has been a consistent member of the Baptist denomination ever since. After her removal to this city some 12 years ago, she united by letter with her church here, and is faithful in attendance at its services for one of her advanced years. Her pastor, the Rev. Frank D. McFarlan, sometimes holds cottage prayer meetings at her home, and the aged mother joins in the service. Mother Randall has trodden the Christian path for over half a century, and her daily prayer is that she may be faithful until the end. She realizes that her days are far spent and that the twilight of their close may soon gather around her, and when the darkness comes she will look with faith for the pierced hand of her Savior to lead her across the dark valley into the brightness of the paradise beyond. [scripture omitted] Not only her church, but the G.A.R. and its auxiliary society should feel in close touch with Mother Randall, for her grandfather was a soldier in the war of rebellion and her father a colonel in the war of 1812. As a child she remembers of her father's return from the service in 1815. Mrs. Randall's maiden name was Kelley and she was born near Chillicothe, Ross County, this state, in 1809. She was twice married and is now a widow. She is the mother of 11 children, eight of whom she has buried. Her first husband's name was John Ewing, whose father was a cousin of the Hon. Thomas Ewing, who was a senator in congress and later a cabinet minister. Her second husband was Elliot Randall. There was much in the surroundings of the young life of Mrs. Randall that is associated with the early history of Ohio. Chillicothe was at that time the seat of government of the state. Near by her parents' homestead, on a beautiful elevation, commanding a magnificent view of fertile valley of the Scioto and its bounding hills, was situated Adena, the country-seat of Gov. Worthington. The mansion was built of stone, was embossed in shrubbery, with fine gardens attached to the grounds. It was erected in 1806, at which time it was the most elegant mansion west of the Alleghenies. Near Adena is Fruit Hill, the country-seat of Duncan McArthur, and later the home of his son-in-law, the Hon. William Allen. Later the residence of Mrs. Randall was amid the beautiful scenes and historical associations of the romantic Mac-a-cheek. Mother Randall has two daughters living on North Main Street, Mansfield. Mrs. Rust and Mrs. Collins, and she makes her home with the latter. -- A.J. Baughman.
From Mansfield Semi-Weekly News, September 6, 1898
