Rev. Gideon Henry Fitz Randolph was born at Salem, W. Va., August 5, 1855, and died at his late home at Federalsburg, Md., April 4, 1934. He was the son of Dr. John LaForge and Annette Maxson Randolph.
Early feeling the call to the ministry, he entered Alfred in 1884, and four years later graduated with the degrees A.B. and A.M. Prior to that period he acted at times as supply and pastor at Independence and Little Genesee. On March 16, 1884, he was married to Lucy J. Greene of Independence, and on March 14, 1888, was ordained to the gospel ministry.
On September 19, 1888, at Alfred N. Y., he and his wife were consecrated to the work in the China field and a week later sailed from San Francisco. Their services in China terminated when they returned to America in April, 1893.
Found among his papers and in his own hand are the following notes:
Supply - Little Genesee: 1881-1882, 7 or 8 months; Independence: 1882-1883, 1 year
Pastor - Independence: 1883-1884, 1 year
Teacher and Evangelist, China: 1888-1893, 4 1/2 years - about
Pastor - Berlin: 1893-1895, 2 1/2 years - about
Pastor - Marlboro: 1895-1898, 2 3/4 years - about
General Missionary and Missionary Pastor - Fouke: 1898-1916, 17 1/2 years - about
Pastor - Berea: 1916-1917, 1 1/2 years - about
Pastor - Berlin: 1917-1919, 2 years - about
Supply - Nile: 1920-1921, 6 months - about
Pastor - Middle Island: 1921-1925, 4 1/2 years - about
At the call of the Missionary Board in 1898, he entered upon the duties of general missionary on the Southwestern field, locating at Fouke, Ark. Originally his field included parts of Texas, Oklahoma, Missouri, and Arkansas. While acting at Fouke as missionary pastor he founded a much needed school, which became widely known as the Fouke School. He personally maintained this school being assisted financially by personal gifts and offerings from the Woman's and the Young People's Boards. He had the help also of consecrated, serious-minded teachers who gave their services for one or more years to this missionary enterprise. His best years were given and some of his best work done on the Southwest field.
While pastor for the second time at Berlin, N. Y., his wife died, August 16, 1919. In June, 1922, he was married to Mrs. Ida B. Geuter of Little Genesee, N. Y. With her he served the Middle Island, W. Va., Seventh Day Baptist Church until 1925, when they retired to a farm near Federalsburg, Md.
At the time of his death he was a member of the Marlboro, N. J., Seventh Day Baptist Church. The funeral services at the home were conducted by his pastor, Rev. Herbert L. Cottrell. Services were also conducted in the village church at Alfred, N. Y., by Rev. A. Clyde Ehret, and the body was laid to rest in the Alfred Rural Cemetery.
Mr. Randolph is survived by his widow; a step-son, Lynn Case of New Brunswick, N. J.; his sister, Miss Celia F. Randolph, Bridgeton, N. J.; one half-brother, Thomas, and a half-sister, Ruth, of Salem, W. Va.; and three sons, Rev. John F. of Milton Junction, Wis.; Wardner T. of Texarkana, Ark.; and Winfield W. of Keeseville, N. Y. Besides these are many other near relatives and friends in New York State and West Virginia.
Mr. Randolph was a good preacher and a good pastor. He was a pioneer in missionary methods, and the value and influence of his work may never be fully known. In Arkansas he opened the way for better farming, improved the cotton output, and laid foundations for better school privileges than were before known in the southwestern part of that state. His life was an inspiration to many.
