[p. 697] a prominent grocery merchant of Ellwood City, was born on his father's farm on Yellow Creek near Portersville, Butler County, Pennsylvania, and is a son of J. V. and Ann (Smith) Randolph.
J. V. Randolph, father of Lawrence S., was also born in Butler County, and remained there until this son was seven years old, when he moved to Coitsville Township, Mahoning County, Ohio, where he remained for eight years. He then purchased a farm at Robinson's Crossing which is still in the possession of the family, and resided there until his death. He married Ann Smith, who was born in Ashland County, Ohio, and they had the following children: Maggie Irene, who is the wife of McClelland Carpenter, residing at New Castle; Sarah Emma, unmarried, resides at Ellwood City; Lawrence S., of Ellwood City; Clara Jane, who is the wife of Warren Thompson, residing at Pittsburg; William, who died aged two years; Annie M., who is the wife of A. A. Galbraith, of Rodgers, Ohio; Elizabeth M., who is a teacher in the public schools of Ellwood City; and Nettie Zenia, who died one year after her marriage to James Potter, residing at Volant, Pa. The paternal grandfather of this family was Job Randolph, who was one of the early settlers of Butler County.
From the age of seven to fifteen years, Lawrence S. Randolph lived in Ohio, and then came to Lawrence County and lived on a farm in Mahoning Township until his marriage, in 1889. He engaged in teaching for some fifteen years in Lawrence County, and the greater part of this Period was passed in Mahoning Township. In 1897 he came to Ellwood City and started in the grocery business, renting an appropriate building for a time, but later bought three lots, and subsequently erected his handsome residence on the corner of Fourth and Franklin Streets. In 1907 he built his store building, a commodious structure, 24 by 60 feet in dimensions, with pressed brick front. Here he carries a large and well selected stock of both staple and fancy groceries, and has built up a very satisfactory business.
In 1889 Mr. Randolph was married to Miss Duira A. McGraw, who is a daughter of John and Ellen (Cole) McGraw, farming people, near Hillsville where Mrs. Randolph was reared. Mr. and Mrs. Randolph have two bright, intelligent young sons, who are making records for scholarship in the public schools: Lloyd Leverne, who was born June 3, 1892; and James Wilbur who was born in 1895. Mr. and Mrs. Randolph are members of the United Presbyterian Church. He is a Republican in his political convictions, is a strong temperance man and a citizen who is ever ready and willing to promote the general welfare of the city by encouraging public enterprises.
20th Century History of New Castle and Lawrence County Pennsylvania and Representative Citizens Hon. Aaron L. Hazen Richmond-Arnold Publishing Company, Chicago, Ill., 1908
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