CAPT.
HENRY M. RANDALL.
From the
Portrait and Biographical Record
The career of Capt. Henry M.
Randall fairly illustrates what one may accomplish who is
actuated by an honest, manly purpose and a determination
to make the most of his opportunities and ability. He has
been so long and so prominently connected with the
interests of Suffolk County that he is most widely known
as one of its prominent citizens, and his reputation as
such is of the highest character. His father, Austin D.
Randall, was also an esteemed and highly respected
citizen of the county. The latter was born in Middle
Island and there met and married Miss Mary E. Retch, who
was also a native of that section. He was prominently
identified with all enterprises of moment and was a most
exemplary citizen in every respect. He and his most
esti-mable wife celebrated their golden wedding in 1891,
but in 1893, when seventy-five years old, he passed
to.that bourn whence no traveler returns. Mrs. Randall is
still living and enjoys compara-tively good health.
Henry M. Randall was born in
Middle Island, Suffolk County, in 1844, and there
received a good practical education in the district
schools. Until the age of seventeen he assisted his
father in the duties of the farm and then decided on a
sea-faring life, which he followed for over thirty years.
When twenty-five years old he became master of a vessel
and sailed in that capacity for years, during the time
being master of the schooner "Edith." He built
and became the master of a three-mast schooner,
"Mabel Thomas," also "Hattie B.
Kelsey," and "Florence Randall," an eleven
hundred ton schooner. He also commanded the four-mast
schooner "Lucy H. Randall" and superintended
the building of the schooner "Mary A. Randall."
In 1881 he retired from sea life and has since
superintended the management of his vessels. He is also
engaged in the coal, lumber, hardware, lime and cement
business at Port Jefferson, where he owns a beautiful
home.
Captain Randall was one of
the incorporators of the Bank of Port Jefferson, was
instrumental in its organization, and was made chairman
of the first meeting when it was discussed. He is now its
President. In the year 1869 our subject was married to
Miss Emily Wines, a native of Suf-folk County. She died
in January, 1872, and three years later Captain Randall
wedded Miss Florence Avery, of Gales Ferry, Conn. His
second wife died in 1881and in 1883 he married Miss Marie
Estella Scanlan, of Charleston, S. C. Captain and Mrs.
Randall are worthy and earnest members of the Methodist
Episcopal Church, in which the former has held membership
for thirty -six years and has filled various offices. For
the past twenty-five years he has been a member of the
Masonic fraternity and lie is also a member of the Royal
Arcanum and the Independent Order of Good Templars. In
politics he is a Prohibitionist and has been elected
Excise Commissioner by his party. He was also nominated
by that party and endorsed by the Democratic party for
Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the town of Brook
Haven and elected.