Mr. Randall is remembered as Fort Wayne's "war" mayor, but his many years of devotion to the upbuilding of his home city have made his name an honored one in connection with many substantial affairs. Following his schooling and law studies, Mr. Randall came to Fort Wayne in 1838. Two years later he was elected school commissioner of Allen county. In 1847 he was elected state senator, representing a district comprising four counties. He was commissioned by Governor Wright as colonel of militia for Allen county, and in 1855 was promoted by Governor Hammond as brigadier general of the Tenth division. In 1856 Mr. Randall was appointed a director of the state prison south, and in the same year was named as a presidential elector, voting for James Buchanan. He was the author of the city charter and designer of the city seal. He served as city recorder two terms, as city attorney three terms, and as councilman two terms. He was elected five times as mayor of Fort Wayne, serving ten years. He was actively interested in the construction of the railroads and in the promotion of horticultural and agricultural matters. His collection of historic mementos and books was far-famed.
Source: The Pictorial History of Fort Wayne
Randall, Franklin P. (1812-1892) of Fort Wayne, Allen County, Ind. Born in Madison County, N.Y., June 2, 1812. School teacher; lawyer; railroad promoter; candidate for Indiana state house of representatives, 1845; member of Indiana state senate, 1847-50; Presidential Elector for Indiana, 1856; mayor of Fort Wayne, Ind., 1859-65, 1869-73. Episcopalian. English ancestry. Died in Fort Wayne, Allen County, Ind., May 23, 1892. Burial location unknown.
Source: The Political Graveyard
F. P. Randall exhibited a specimen of the Hubbard squash. The flesh was remarkably firm, crisp and a beautiful color. As a keeping squash it could not be excelled. Had kept it last year until in April and was then apparently as sound as ever. When cooked it fully equalled the best varieties of sweet potatoe, and for pies it far exceeded any other squash. He had obtained his seed from Massachusetts, in which State this squash was first brought into notice. Mr. Randall would be happy to supply any member of this society with seed, free.
Mr. Rockhill desired to have the Hubbard Squash question deferred until the next meeting, as he wished to test its eating qualities.
Dawson's Fort Wayne Weekly Times, 25 Jan 1860 (re: Allen County Horticultural Society)
TALL RYE -- F. P. Randall Esq, who is also a farmer -- brings into our office a bunch of rye composed of 76 stalks averaging 6 feet in height and all of good size and all springing from one grain. The heads will average 60 grains each making 4,500 grains.
This bunch was raised out in a ten acre field and not around a barn nor picked places for the occasion. We have seen many fields of rye -- many specimens and have yet to see such a growth. Certainly no farmer in this region can report so favorably of his product as Mr. Randall has on this respect.
Dawson's Fort Wayne Weekly Times, 20 Jun 1860
On the morning of May 23, 1892 at his home in Fort Wayne, occurred the death of Hon. Franklin P. Randall, one of the pioneers and a man who was closely identified with thegrowth an development of the city. For almost eighty years he lived, and long will be held in grateful remembrance his hard work for the public good and his many benevolent acts toward his fellow men. In 1838, he was admitted to the practice of law. In April of the same year he came to Fort Wayne, and at once entered upon the practice of his profession. Thus it will be seen that Mr. Randall saw the growth of Fort Wayne and was destined to became a factor as the years passed. Indeed, the endowments, ability and energy of the man were such as to make him an important factor in that progression. But few white people resided here at the time of Mr. Randall's advent. The people at once insisted that he take charge of and look after the educational interests, and called him to the office of school commissioner of Allen county, in which position be served for four years. In 1847 he was elected state senator for the counties of Allen, Adams, Huntington and Wells. Few persons who, in the later years of his life, knew Mr. Randall's quiet, genial disposition and his kindly matter would ever suspect that to him belonged the title of "general." Indeed the fact is probably known to but a limited number of persons, yet it is nevertheless true that from Governor Wright he received the appointment of colonel of the state militia of Allen county, and in 1855, Governor Hammond promoted him to the position of brigadier-general of the 10th division, Indiana state Infantry. He was appointed a director of the state prison in 1856 by Governor Willard, and the same year he was elected a presidential elector, and his vote was cast directly for James Buchanan for president of the United States.
In the affairs of the city of Fort Wayne Mr. Randall took an especially active part. The first charter for the city, which became a law in 1840, was prepared by him, and several times was he called upon to revise the city ordinances, so that laws might be effective and intelligently enforced. He was city recorder In 1840 and 1841, and served as alderman in 1843 and 1855. He was elected city attorney for a period of two years in 1840, and the people again called him to the same position In 1863 and 1865. As "war mayor," Mr. Randall was a conspicuous figure, and he ever and always rendered hearty and loyal support to the cause of the union. He was elected mayor in 1859, and again in 1863, 1869 and 1871, his service having been five terms of two years each.
Mr. Randall was twice married, Mrs. George B. Dougan being the only surviving issue of his first marriage. While a member at the state legislature, he became acquainted with the woman he afterwards married — a daughter of Judge Read, of Jeffersonville. She, with five sons and two daughters, are still living. The children are Frank M. Randall, civil engineer of the city of Fort Wayne; Mrs. Clark Fairbank, Irwin Randall, Alfred L. Randall, Fort Wayne; Mrs. J. C. Downs, Danbury, Conn.; David J. Ranadall, George E. Randall, New York City.
During his long life in Fort Wayne Mr. Randall was always prominent in any project that had for its purpose the advancement and prosperity of the city. In social circles, he was always welcomed for the happiness and good cheer he brought with him; in private life he was as an esteemed, respected and honored citizen. Long will his generous deeds, his benevolent acts, his kindness in times when it was most needed, be held in remembrance by many who knew Mr. Randall by that endearing name — Friend.
Ft. Wayne Weekly Gazette, 17 Oct 1895, pg. 14
