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Traveling West
As the covered wagons pulled away, Abraham Randles Sr. returned to the hard work of the fields. He would miss his children & grandchildren. He understood their hopes and dreams for a place to call their own.One hundred sixty acres free - well worth traveling west.
Dreams of a better life separated families by many miles.Other Randles families went to the western states from the south and even from England.
Brothers,sisters, wives, husbands and their children were all used to great hardships and danger. On they traveled by covered wagons through miles of tall prairie grass and fluffy clouds. The children helped pick berries and carry water. Mothers washed the laundry in nearby creeks. Fathers took care of the horses and oxen, cleaned the guns and gathered firewood.Huge bears prowled about as the families gathered around the campfire at night. There were mountain lions and wolves. It was a time of great peril in young America.
The Homestead Act of 1862 granted up to 160 Acres of land in the Kansas - Nebraska territory for each qualified person. An interesting fact is that women were allowed to own the deed to this land, 60 years before they could vote! Most successful homesteading took place between 1863 and 1900, although more claims were made in 1913 than any other year. To "prove up" a homestead the owner was required to make improvements including building a home and plow a minimum of ten acres. Several of Abraham Sr.'s grandchildren, such as James Polk Randles and Casper Hosfelt the husband of Elizabeth Randles acquired deeds in Missouri.You can find these and others here Search Land Patents
Among the children of Abraham Sr. & Elizabeth (Chaney) Randles that moved on to midwestern states were;
Abraham Randles Jr., and some of his children; James Polk, William J. and Elizabeth Randles (Casper Hosfelt) moved to Missouri.Casper's parents were both born in Germany and came to America for a better life. Their son was a hard worker and fulfilled all their ambitions for him.
Rachel Randles was born on October 27, 1821 in Roscoe, Ohio. She married John Wesley Tracy on 12-02-1841 in Coshocton County, Ohio. Rachel was buried in Mount Zion Cemetery in Chariton County, Missouri. Their son David was shot in the Civil War and died from his wounds. The couple had 10 children.They are all are listed in "Find A Grave.com". States listed for them are in Illinois, Kansas, Missouri and Idaho.
Andrew Jackson Randles was born October 30, 1831 in Roscoe, Ohio. "Jack" a Blacksmith by trade married Elizabeth "Betsy" (Fortner). She died on 6-19- 1879 in Quincy County, Illinois.He also married Martha (Unknown). Andrew moved on to Missouri, before settling in Kansas. He had 10 children. One son Abraham is shown below with his grandchildren, Edith and Bruno Randles. Their father, Roy lost his eye due to infection.Known children of Andrew Jackson Randles are; Abraham, John W., Francis, Sarah A.,William Scott, James Terance and Charles Bronson.
Nathan Randles was born in 1833 in Roscoe, Ohio. He was named after his grandfather, Nathan Chaney. He married Martha Ann Compton on June 15, 1856 in Christian County, Illinois. She was the daughter of Amelia (Wood) and George Washington Compton. Nathan died on January 31,1897 and is buried at Antioch Cemetery, Christian County, Illinois under "Randle". Martha Compton Randle and her parents are buried there also.
Thomas J. Randles was born August 13, 1824 in Roscoe, Ohio. He is listed in the Christian County, Illinois 1870 Federal Census as "Randall". He married Malinda (Compton) on October 30, 1849 in Coshocton County, Ohio. Malinda was born December 25, 1830. Her first marriage was to John Morrison.She died in child birth on December 25, 1870 in Nokomis, Montgomery County, Illinois bearing Clara Belle Randles. He is listed in 1880 Census of Adams Co.,as widowed & disabled by Rheumatism. He was forced to place his 7 children in different homes.
I found this really interesting site. It has search features and hours of reading with entire Kansas Books Online. There is even a handbook for those traveling west due to the Homestead Act of May 20, 1862.The photos above were sent to Randles Station by Rachael Randles Hromidko.I thank her for helping us get to know our family out west! Andrew Jackson Randles is her great great grandfather.His son, Abraham, born October 8, 1852 in Roscoe was a town Constable. He married Harriett "Hattie" (Slater). They had the following children; Bertha "Birthie", Roy S., William H. and Pearl. Abraham & Hattie had owned several farms but lost them in the Depression."I was told that Abraham delivered the mail as a boy on horseback from White Woman Road in Roscoe", wrote Rachael.The photo below looks very much like White Women's Rock.This is close to where the old Randles Station was! Speaking of photos, I think you might enjoy these Western Paintings. This site may be slow to load on dial-up.
Rachael's father Willie, the son of Roy & Helen Randles, had his name legally changed from Willie to Bruno.He played with his own band, the Jolly Brewers and then the Six Fat Dutchmen both in Minnesota. As he traveled he met Suzanne and the couple had ten children. She died at age 48.Traveling became hard with a growing family. He later played with the Leo Greco band during the 60's. He wrote and arranged music for these bands throughout the years. Bruno is now retired and living in Canon City, Colorado. The ten children above are; from lower left Peter who lives in Richmond, Texas, Julie the youngest who lives in Center Point, Iowa, Bruno, Rachael who lives in Swisher, Iowa, Joe who lives in New Hope, Pennsylvania, Mark who lives in Pueblo, Colorado, upper left; Vince who lives in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Paul who lives in Norman, Oklahoma, Dave who lives in Seattle, Washington, Bill who lives in Marion, Iowa and the youngest son John, he lives in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. I hope someday to meet you all.
I am still working on my Native American ancestry. As mentioned above, Elizabeth Randles Hosfelt moved to Missouri from Ohio. This was in 1879, as their last child Mary was born in Missouri in that year.They did get the deed to160 acres of land in Laclede County, they received from the Homestead Act of 1862. But In June of 1900 the sons are listed in State: Indian Territory, County: Cherokee Nation, Township 21 North. Source: Federal Indian Territory Census. Casper & Elizabeth's sons; Charles born 1869, George C., born 1873 and John Hosfelt born March 1874 (all in Ohio) are listed in the Cherokee Census. Casper & Elizabeth are listed in the Cherokee Nation Census under "Hasfelt". John Hosfelt's daughter Daisy, is listed as being born in September 1897 in the Cherokee Nation.Casper and Elizabeth are both buried in Fairview Cemetery, Mayes County, Oklahoma.
Randles Ancestors & Family
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