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This site is devoted to Randolph Historical Society news,pictures, historical information and misc. information related to Randolph Township, Portage County, Ohio.
Please submit information to be posted to: DKolasky@aol.com
 This picture was forwaded to us and told that it is the 8th grade Randolph School class of 1933 or 34. If anyone recognizes any of these students please let us know.  Woodburning of Bela Hubbard by Myron Mullett
 3636 Waterloo Rd. in 1968 Currently the Randolph Township Administration Complex
 Anyone who knows anything about our local history knows that Randolph Township had its own Civil War general, Gen. William Stedman. The General raised prize sheep on his East Waterloo Rd. farm, and he prospered as an entrepreneur. Stedman was a well-known abolitionist who was quite active in the Underground Railroad, and he was president of the Western Anti-Slavery Society. As colonel of the 6th Ohio Cavalry, he fought in many cavalry battles on the eastern front, and at one time he commanded a brigade of cavalry. His service record was outstanding, and the official records of the war verify his bravery. Stedman also served in the Ohio State legislature, which is the main interest of this article.
Citizen Bill Stedman first served in the Ohio House in 1860. As a dedicated temperance man, he presented a petition of Thomas Brigden and 37 other Portage County citizens who wished to make it a penitentiary offense to make, buy, sell, or give away intoxicating liquors. The petition was referred to a committee where it obviously died. It remained for future politicians to figure out a craftier plan which involved taxing the devil out of peoples' vices.
In the 1850's the people of Ohio voted three times to have the legislature meet every other year. Presumably, this would save on salaries and keep the politicians out of their pockets for at least a year. Our man, Bill Stedman, said "the people desired a fair trial of biennial sessions and he wanted this legislature to let them have a fair trial. Nevertheless, the legislature figured that the people did not understand what they had done and proceeded on their own way. (Today, this appears to be a function of the courts.) Let's suppose that Bill Stedman's advice was adopted by the U. S. Congress today. The headlines tomorrow would read: "Congress Votes to Meet Every Other Year." The following article would be headed: "Global Warming Solved, Hell Freezes Over."
For more information about our local hero, Gen. William Stedman, visit the Randolph Library. |