delight. He is diligent in his profession, active in pursuit of truth, and always lends a willing ear to calls upon his time or service, even when there is no expectation of pecuniary reward. He has earned the place he occupies as a citizen whose record is a complete refutation of the claim that all men have their price and that no man can engage in public life for a series of years and retire with an unsullied reputation.
TOM PHOCION RANDALL.
Tom Phocion Randall, postmaster of Oregon City, was born in that city November 22, 1863, a son of Noble Warren and Susannah Randall. His father, who was a native of Ohio, was born in 1825 and came to Oregon over the trail in 1852. He lived for many years in Oregon City and Clackamas county and occupied many public offices of trust. He was a man of high character and many noble impulses, and was one of the most popular citizens in this part of the state. He died on the 30th of May, 1890. Mrs. Randall was a native of Kentucky, where she was born in 183 1. She survived her husband for fifteen years, and was called to rest after a long Hfe of usefulness in 1905.
The subject of our review was reared under highly favorable auspices and was educated in the public schools of Oregon City and at the Portland Business College. After leaving school he was for some time in the employ of the Milwaukie Flouring Mills of Milwaukie, Oregon, as bookkeeper. Giving up that position, he entered the real-estate business with Thomas F. Ryan in Oregon City and there gained a thorough knowledge of a line which is one of the necessary elements in the growth of any city. He became a member of the Oregon City Transportation Company, and for five years acted as purser of the company. Like his father, he possesses the traits which are essential to those who succeed in public life, and it required no special effort on his part to gain a seat in the city council, over which body he presided during the years 1891, 1892 and 1893. In 1898 he again was elected to office, this time as county recorder, in which position he served with general acceptance for two terms. In 1903 he was appointed postmaster, and in 1907 was reappointed to the same office, having shown a capability which was greatly appreciated by the business men and citizens generally. He has been a lifelong republican, and is an ardent supporter of the principles of the party.
On the 5th of November, 1895, Mr. Randall was united in marriage to Miss Violet A. Matthieu, the youngest daughter of F. X. Matthieu of Butteville, Oregon. She was called away in 1896, leaving no issue. Mr. Randall was again married at Oregon City on the 3d of April, 1904, to Miss Nellie E. Boyd, by whom he has one child, Velma Margaret, who was born April 3, 1905.
Mr. Randall has at various times been connected with movements having for their aim the improvement and advancement of this region. He was a member of Company F, Oregon National Guard, and served as lieutenant of that organization. He has passed through the chairs of Oregon Camp No. 3, I. O. O. F., and also of Falls Encampment No. 4, I. O. O. F., and Watchene Tribe No. 13, I. O. R. M. He holds membership in Oregon City Lodge No. 1 189, B. P. O. E., and at the present time is president of the Oregon City Commercial Club, which is one of the leading factors in the upbuilding of this city.
Mr. Randall has passed his life in the community where he now resides and the honorable position he occupies is evidence of the esteem in which he is held by those to whom he is best known. It would be difficult to find a higher indorsement than that of our lifelong neighbors and friends. In all his acts, Mr. Randall has been governed by a desire to be just, and in no case to exact more than that which is due. As postmaster he is courteous and obliging, and the office is administered in a way that meets the commendation of citizens and of
