Judge
Joseph C. Randel
JUDGE JOSEPH C.
RANDEL. The county affairs of Jones county have never been in
more capable administrative hands than in those of the present county
judge, Joseph C. Randel, who is serving his second term in the office.
Judge Randel is one of the leading members of the bar of Jones county,
and for some years has interested himself actively in political
affairs, and has, in the opinion of his many friends, a very bright
political future.
Joseph C. Randel was born in Brown county, Texas, June 27,
1878. All his career has been spent in the Lone Star state. His early
education was received in the public schools, and as the family moved
to Jones county when he was a boy, he finished in the high school at
Anson. On leaving school he spent two years in the healthy outdoor of
the cattle ranch, and with the money saved from that work he entered
the State University at Austin, and was graduated from the law
department L.L. B. in 1905. Returning to Anson, as soon as admitted to
the bar began active practice. A year later he was appointed county
attorney, and was then elected to the office, serving two terms.
Following his term as county attorney, in which he made an excellent
record, came his election as county judge, and in November, 1912, he
was re-elected for his second term.
Judge Randel is a son of Jonas J. Randel, who was born in
Tennessee, and moved to Jones county, and is one of the prosperous
farmers. He married Fannie B. Collier, a native of Texas, in which
state they were married. Both are devout members of the Methodist
church. In their family were five sons, Judge Randel being the third.
Judge Randel was married in Jones county, July 7, 1901, to
Dovie Billingsley, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. W. G. Billingsley of
Jones county. They are the parents of two sons, Clay and J.C. The
family worship at the Methodist church and Judge Randel participates in
social affairs and is affiliated with the Woodmen of the World, the
Modern Woodmen of the World, the Modern Woodmen of America, and the
Knights of Pythias. For a number of years he has been an especially
influential factor in local politics, and his interests and activities
also extend to state and national affairs. Outside of his office and
practice as a lawyer, he has various other interests in Jones county.
Away from the serious duties of his career, Judge Randel finds much
recreation in hunting and camp life, and has always been an
enthusiastic advocate of the resources and attractions of west Texas.
from A
History of Texas and
Texans,
by Frank W. Johnson.
The American Historical Society. Chicago, 1914. Vol. III,
p. 1093.