Choice B. Randell

Choice Boswell Randell (January 1, 1857 – October 19, 1945) was a U.S. Representative from Texas. He was the nephew of Lucius Jeremiah Gartrell.

Choice Boswell Randell
United States Congressman Texas 4th Congressional District
In office March 4, 1903 – March 3, 1913
Preceded by	Morris Sheppard
Succeeded by	Sam Rayburn
United States Congressman Texas 5th Congressional District
In office March 4, 1901 – March 3, 1903
Preceded by	Joseph W. Bailey
Succeeded by	James Andrew Beall
County Attorney Grayson County
In office 1882–1888
City Attorney Denison, Texas
In office 1882–1882
Personal details
Born	January 1, 1857 Murray County, Georgia
Died	October 19, 1945 (aged 88) Sherman, Texas
Resting place	West Hill Cemetery
Political party	Democratic
Spouse(s)	Anna Marschalk
Children	Andrew
Profession	Lawyer
Military service
Allegiance	Texas State Militia
Unit	Fourth Texas Regiment

Biography

Charles Boswell Randell was born to James L. and Louisa Amantha (Gartrell) Randell in Murray County, Georgia.[1]

He attended public and private schools and the North Georgia Agricultural College at Dahlonega, Georgia, but did not graduate. Instead, he changed his course of study to law and was admitted to the Georgia State Bar in 1878.[2] Randell commenced his law practice in Denison, Texas, in January 1879. He moved to Sherman, Texas, in 1882 and continued the practice of law.

Public service

Randell was elected as a Democrat to the fifty-seventh and to the five succeeding Congresses (March 4, 1901 – March 3, 1913). He did not support women's suffrage and expressed in a letter to women's suffragette leader Ermina Thompson Folsom that his concern was race-based.[3] Randell was the author of the Anti-Graft Resolutions to prevent members of the United States Congress from receiving gifts or fees from anyone with business before Congress.[4]

With pending reapportionment of his congressional district, Randell chose to make a bid for the United States Senate in 1912, rather than run for re-election as a member of the United States House of Representatives.[4] Randell was unsuccessful in his Senate bid, and Sam Rayburn succeeded him in the U.S. House.

After his career in public service ended, Randell resumed the practice of law.

Death

He died in Sherman, Texas, October 19, 1945, and is interred in West Hill Cemetery.[5]

Fraternal memberships

Randell had membership[6] in the following organizations:

• Freemasons
• Knights of Pythias
• Odd Fellows
• Woodmen of the World
• Improved Order of Red Men

References

1. Guttery, Ben (2008). Representing Texas: a Comprehensive History of U.S. and Confederate Senators and Representatives from Texas. BookSurge Publishing. p. 125. ISBN 978-1-4196-7884-4.
2. Hart, Brian: Choice B Randell from the Handbook of Texas Online. Retrieved 16 July 2010. Texas State Historical Association
3. Erminia Thompson Folsom Papers. "C.B. Randell to Erminia Thompson Folsom, November 25, 1910". Texas State Library and Archives Commission. Retrieved 17 July 2010.
4. Champagne, Anthony; Harris, Dr. Douglas B; Riddlesperger Jr, James W; Nelson, Dr. Garrison (2009). The Austin-Boston Connection: Five Decades of House Democratic Leadership, 1937–1989. TAMU. p. 36. ISBN 978-1-60344-120-9.
5. "Grave of Choice B Randell". Find a Grave. Retrieved 17 July 2010.
6. Kestenbaum, Lawrence. "Choice B Randell-The Political Graveyard". The Political Graveyard. Retrieved 16 July 2010.

Sources

• United States Congress. "Choice B. Randell (id: R000042)". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.