John Randall Goldthwaite

John Randall Goldthwaite

• Father: Robert Henry Goldthwaite b. 21 August 1797, d. 5 March 1842
• Mother: Eleanor Walker b. 24 August 1796, d. 23 October 1853

• John Randall Goldthwaite was born on 29 May 1824 in Spartanburg County, South Carolina.
• He received a liberal education and upon attaining his majority, entered on the study of the law reading with his uncle Judge John a. Campbell, then of Mobile. He was admitted to the bar in 1844 and in 1845 located in Troy.
• He married Julia Ann Mock, daughter of John Mock and (?) Bryan, on 28 September 1848 in Lowndes County, Alabama.
• John Randall Goldthwaite and Julia Ann Mock appeared in the US federal census of 1 June 1850 in Pike County, Alabama. Other members of the household included Mary Ellen Goldthwaite.
• He was a teacher, according to the 1850 census.
• John Randall Goldthwaite and Julia Ann Mock appeared in the US federal census of 1 June 1860 in Troy, Pike County, Alabama. Other members of the household included Sarah Virginia Goldthwaite and Charles Bellshaw Goldthwaite.
• He was Clerk of the Circuit Court, according to the 1860 census.
• John Randall Goldthwaite and Julia Ann Mock appeared in the US federal census of 1 June 1870 in Troy, Pike County, Alabama. Other members of the household included Charles Bellshaw Goldthwaite.
• He was a druggist, according to the 1870 census.
• John Randall Goldthwaite and Julia Ann Mock appeared in the US federal census of 1 June 1880 in Troy, Pike County, Alabama.
• He was a druggist, according to the 1880 census.
• John Randall Goldthwaite died on 20 February 1887 at age 62 in Troy, Pike County, Alabama.
• His wife Julia Ann Mock became a widow at his death.
• He was interred at Oakwood Cemetery, Troy, Pike County, North Carolina.
• The following appeared on 28 February 1887 in the Columbus Enquirer: (Troy, Ala., February 22) John Randall Goldthwaite died at Troy February 20, 1887. He entered the service of the Southern Express Company in 1871 at Troy and held the same until his death, being the only agent the company has had at this point. He was born in Spartenburgh District, S. C. in 1823, and would have been 64 years old the 29th day of May next. He read law at Mobile under Judge John A.. Campbell, now of New Orleans, and was admitted to the bar in 1884 [sic] and located in Troy in 1845, where he only remained for a short time, being called away by the death of his father to take charge of the estate, which was located in Montgomery county. Whilst there engaged he was married to Miss Julia A. Mock and soon afterwards returned to Troy and engaged in teaching, and it was in this calling in which he especially distinguished himself and the evidence of his skill, zeal and faithfulness in the school room are to be seen everywhere in this community. The confinement and his arduous labors in the school room so much impaired his health that he after three years, to-wit, in the winter of 1853, removed to Montgomery, Ala., and for a time engaged in merchandising. This not proving very congenial to his taste and he soon returned to Troy and was elected clerk of the circuit court in 1856, a position he held by re-election until after the close of the late war when he again engaged in teaching, of which he was so famed and for which he was so well suited. He was not, however, allowed to remain long in this, his beloved profession, for he was called by a very flattering vote of his fellow-citizens to represent them in the legislature, filled with great credit to himself and to the ardent satisfaction of his constituents. He was early made a Mason, being a Knight Templar, and was widely known and universally esteemed by the fraternity throughout the state, for he exemplified in his life and conduct the ennobling principles of the order. He was a man not only of a natural high order of intellect, but his mind was cultivated and was the storehouse of a large fruit of general useful information. He was closely identified with every measure of enterprise for the good of this city or county for the past forty years, and the fruits of the labors of his hand and brain is felt and seen in the improved condition of this section. Perhaps the great charm in his life was in his conversational powers, which rendered him not only popular, but caused him to be sought in every social circle. His death cast a gloom over the entire community and the large concourse of citizens of every calling and profession, white and black, that assembled around his grave--the business houses of the town all closing during the funeral exercises--testified in some small degree the high esteem in which he was held by this community, and the frequent expression of sorrow heard from all quarters evidences the fact that this community appreciate the fact that they have sustained no little loss in the death of this useful man--true and constant friend, genial and cultivated gentleman, devout Christian and patriotic citizen.

• Last Edited: 15 Nov 2015