Claude Walter Randall (1879 - 1940)

Born 27 Jul 1879 in Rochester, Monroe, New York, United States

Ancestors

Husband of Lena Cordelia Dorothea Kaiser — married 27 Dec 1910 in Tonica, LaSalle, Illinois, United States

Descendants

Died 21 Mar 1940 at age 60 in Ontario, San Bernardino, California, United States

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Biography

Birth

Claude Walter Randall was born July 27, 1879, at Rochester, Monroe, New York.^[1] He was the first of three children born to William Albertus Randall and his wife Phebe Ann Mosher.

Youth

As a small child, Claude moved with his parents to Michigan, where he grew up. His parents separated when he was just a boy, and he was raised by his single father. His mother remarried and moved to another county, where she had three more children. She died of consumption when Claude was just 15 years old. According to family tradition, Claude left home when he was a teenager and may have resided for a time with his uncle George Randall's family at Angola, Steuben, Indiana. Later, he headed to DeKalb, Illinois, where he attended Dekalb Normal School (now Northern Illinois University). As his father was very poor, it is said he put himself through college, although it is unclear how.^[2] At Dekalb, Claude was a highly regarded student, and was very active in the school's sports programs. He is known to have been a member of the school's basketball, football, and basketball teams. While attending DeKalb, Claude's address was listed as 631 S. Third Street in DeKalb.^[3]

Note: Although the 1930 US Federal Census states that Claude was a veteran of the Spanish American War, a check with the Department of Veteran's Affairs shows no such service.^[4] According to his daughter, Elizabeth Nelson, Claude did attempt to enlist during the War, but was turned away due to his age.

Early Career

Following college, Claude taught briefly at Bureau County Illinois Rural School, before being named principal at the Seatonville School in Bureau County. From 1906 to 1909, he served as principal of the Lostant School in LaSalle County. In 1907 and 1908, while serving at Losant, Claude attended summer classes at DeKalb. He then he served as Superintendent of Wenona Schools, from 1909 to 1911.^[5]

Family

Claude married fellow teacher, Lena Cordelia Dorothea Kaiser, 27 Dec 1910, likely at her parents' home in Tonica, LaSalle, Illinois. The marriage was conducted by Rev. George Harlan McClung, pastor of the Methodist Episcopal Church in Tonica.^[6] In 1912, the couple traveled across the country by train to the city of Phoenix in the newly admitted state of Arizona. There, they had two children Louis Kaiser (1914-1998) and Elizabeth Marie (1919-2011).

Later Career

At Phoenix, Claude and Lena both became teachers in the Phoenix School District, beginning with the 1912-13 school year. By 1918, Claude was serving as Assistant Superintendent with the school district. Claude last appears on the Phoenix Schools personnel roster during the 1920-21 school year.^[7][8] During this same time, Claude was continuing his own education during the summers at the University of California Berkeley, from where he received a Bachelor of Arts Degree in 1921.^[9] Soon after, Claude and Lena moved their family to Palo Alto, Santa Clara, California, where Claude went on to receive a Master's Degree from Stanford University, 9 Oct 1924. The family then moved to Ontario, San Bernardino, California, where Claude served as Superintendent of the Ontario School District. Claude was also a teacher of Philosophy and Logic at Chafee Junior College in Ontario. Claude received his California Teacher's and Administrator's Certificate in December 1928.

Death

On the afternoon of 21 Mar 1940, while on the way to a meeting at the school district, the car Claude was driving was struck by a train. He was killed instantly.^[10] The day of his memorial service was declared a school holiday and his funeral is said to have been attended by hundreds of mourners. Although the subject of much debate at the time, the evidence sadly points to the accident being a deliberate act of suicide. Claude was entombed at Bellvue Mausoleum in Ontario.^[11]

Physical Description

According to his voter registration: Claude was 5”10” tall and weighed 145lbs. He had brown hair and brown eyes.^[12]

Federal Census Summaries

1880 – Walter Randall, son, age 1, Benton, Eaton Co., Michigan.^[13]

1900 – Claude Walter Randall, age 20, has not yet been found in the 1900 US Federal Census.

1910 – C.W. Randall, boarder, age 30, public school teacher, Wenona, Marshall Co., Illinois.^[14]

1920 – Claude B. Randall, head, age 40, Assistant Superintendent, City Schools, Phoenix, Maricopa Co., Arizona.^[15]

1930 – Claude W. Randall, head, age 50, public school teacher, Ontario, San Bernardino Co., California.^[16]

Sources

1. ↑ United States World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1918," images, Ancestry.com, card for Claude Walter Randall, serial no. 1018, Local Draft Board for Maricopa County, Phoenix, Arizona.
2. ↑ Personal recollections of grandchildren, Louis K. Randall (Dec 1991) and Elizabeth (Randall) Nelson (Dec 2000), as told to David M. Randall.
3. ↑ DeKalb Normal School, “The Norther” Yearbook, DeKalb, Illinois (1904).
4. ↑ Larry Fillipio, Privacy Officer, Department of Veterans Affairs, Regional Office, Los Angels, California, to David M. Randall, letter, 5 Dec 2011, privately held by David M. Randall.
5. ↑ Personal Archives of Claude Walter Randall, now in the possession of Bruce Walter Randall (Dec 2020)
6. ↑ Return of Marriage to County Clerk (27 Dec 1910), Illinois State Board of Health, Claude Walter Randall to Lena Cordelia Kaiser.
7. ↑ Department of Library, Archives, & Public Records: Archives Division. Phoenix School District Payroll Records (1911-1921)]] (Dec 2020)
8. ↑ Arizona Superintendent of Public Institution. Arizona Educational Directory (1915-1921).
9. ↑ ,University of California, Berkeley. Register with Announcements for 1921-1922, (Berkeley, CA, The University Press, 1921) p.33.
10. ↑ Certificate of Death (21 Mar 1940), State of California Department of Health Services, Claude Walter Randall.
11. ↑ Find a Grave, memorial no. 94060854, Claude Walter Randall (27 Jul 1879–21 Mar 1940), citing Bellevue Memorial Park, Ontario, San Bernardino County, California, USA; Maintained by David M. Randall (contributor 47654263).
12. ↑ United States World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1918," Claude Walter Randall, serial no. 1018, Local Draft Board for Maricopa County, Phoenix, Arizona.
13. ↑ 1880 US Federal Census: Michigan, Eaton County, Benton; ED 66, page 202, family 102; Household of Wm. Randall.
14. ↑ 1910 US Federal Census: Illinois, Marshall County, Wenona Ward 2; ED 38, page 9B, family 194; Boardinghouse of Mary Stanton.
15. ↑ 1920 US Federal Census: Arizona, Maricopa County, Phoenix; ED 58, page 5A, family 131; Household of Claude B. Randall.
16. ↑ 1930 US Federal Census: California, San Bernardino County, Ontario; ED 36-37, page 3B, family 77; Household of Claude W. Randall.

• 1930 Census: "1930 United States Federal Census"
  Year: 1930; Census Place: Ontario, San Bernardino, California; Page: 3B; Enumeration District: 0037; FHL microfilm: 2339923
  Ancestry Sharing Link - Ancestry Record 6224 #91844021 (accessed 9 October 2023)
  Claude W Randall (50), married, Teacher, head of household at 320 Armsley's Square, Ontario, San Bernardino, California, USA. Born in New York.