Randolph County

by Stewart, James. Neil Alexander Bailey* was the first African-American agricultural extension agent in the state of North Carolina. He was born in Harnett County, North Carolina, the son of Edward and Phillis McLean [...] (from NCSU Libraries.)

by Raper, Horace W. Andrew Balfour, Revolutionary War leader, officer in the North Carolina militia, and one of Randolph County's first representatives, was born in Edinburgh, Scotland, to Andrew and Margaret Robertson [...] (from Dictionary of North Carolina Biography, University of North Carolina Press.)

by Jordan, Paula S. Hannah Millikan Blair, Quaker revolutionary patriot, was the daughter of William Millikan, first register of deeds of Randolph County, and his wife Jane Roan (or White?). She was born in Chester [...] (from Dictionary of North Carolina Biography, University of North Carolina Press.)

by Holloman, Charles R. Levi Branson, educator, Methodist minister, writer, editor, and publisher, was born and reared on a farm in Randolph County about five miles south of Asheboro. He was the second of nine children born [...] (from Dictionary of North Carolina Biography, University of North Carolina Press.)

by Wooten, Hubert K. George W. Brown, physician, was born at Brower's Mill, Randolph County, the son of W. Duncan and Mary Elizabeth Guthrie Brown. He attended local public schools and was graduated from Shiloh Academy [...] (from Dictionary of North Carolina Biography, University of North Carolina Press.)

by Eagles, Charles W., Clark, David. John Washington Clark, textile manufacturer, businessman, and civic leader, was born in Raleigh to Susan Washington Graham and Walter Clark, chief justice of the state supreme court. At age fourteen [...] (from Dictionary of North Carolina Biography, University of North Carolina Press.)

by Fox, Charlesanna L. Daniel Branson Coltrane was a banker, industrialist, religious and educational leader, and a Confederate soldier. He was born in Randolph County in a two-room log house near Ebenezer Methodist [...] (from Dictionary of North Carolina Biography, University of North Carolina Press.)

by Russell, Mattie U. Braxton Craven, educator, Methodist minister, and Mason, was a native of Randolph County. His mother was Ann Craven and his father, according to the Reverend D. V. York, was Braxton York, a cousin of [...] (from Dictionary of North Carolina Biography, University of North Carolina Press.)

by Russell, Mattie U. John Franklin Crowell, educator, economist, and journalist, was president of Trinity College from 1887 to 1894 and directed its move in 1892 from Randolph County to Durham. He was born in York, Pa., [...] (from Dictionary of North Carolina Biography, University of North Carolina Press.)

by Rutherford, Rocky. EVENT. A rodeo has various types of events: roping, barrel racing, bareback riding, saddle bronc riding, bull riding, etc. Each was referred to as an "event" until the PBR and other bucking bull [...] (from NCpedia.)

by Keever, Homer M. Charles Force Deems, clergyman, educator, and author, is best known for his connection with the Church of the Strangers in New York City during the late nineteenth century and for his friendship with [...] (from Dictionary of North Carolina Biography, University of North Carolina Press.)

by Newlin, Algie I. Zacharias Dicks, pioneer, itinerant Quaker minister, and abolitionist, was born in Chester County, Pa., the son of Nathan Dicks, Sr., who had moved to Pennsylvania in 1686, and the grandson of Peter [...] (from Dictionary of North Carolina Biography, University of North Carolina Press.)

by Sink, M. Jewell. Thomas Jefferson Finch, pioneer furniture manufacturer, banker, and farmer, was descended from English settlers who came first to Virginia and then to Person County, N.C. Succeeding generations moved [...] (from Dictionary of North Carolina Biography, University of North Carolina Press.)

by Russell, Mattie U. William Washington Flowers, business executive, was born at York Collegiate Institute near Taylorsville, the third of eight sons and two daughters of Colonel George Washington Flowers and Sarah Jane [...] (from Dictionary of North Carolina Biography, University of North Carolina Press.)

by Fox, Charlesanna L. Michael Leonard Fox, physician, teacher, Lutheran minister, legislator, and farmer, was born in Liberty Township, Randolph County, the eldest son of Christian and Charity Moser Fox. After reading [...] (from Dictionary of North Carolina Biography, University of North Carolina Press.)

by Cecelski, David S. Kenneth George may be only 30 years old, but he has 10 generations of pottery making behind him. He and his grandmother operate the famous Cole's Pottery in Sanford. The first Cole potter moved to [...] (from Listening to History, News and Observer.)

by Powell, William S. Jesse Dickens Graves, physician and artist, was born in Granville County, the son of Henry Lewis Graves and his wife, Mary Brown Dickens. He was a student at The University of North Carolina in [...] (from Dictionary of North Carolina Biography, University of North Carolina Press.)

by Rives, Ralph Hardee. Minnie Lee Hancock Hammer, religious, civic, and cultural leader, and newspaper manager, was the daughter of Dr. J. M. and Jane Page Hancock and the granddaughter of James Page, doorkeeper in the [...] (from Dictionary of North Carolina Biography, University of North Carolina Press.)

by Hamilton, Kay M. William Cicero Hammer, lawyer, editor, and congressman, was born in Randolph County four miles southwest of Asheboro. His parents were William Clark and Hannah Jane Burrows Hammer. The son and [...] (from Dictionary of North Carolina Biography, University of North Carolina Press.)

by Childs, T. Mike. Heidi the Cross-Eyed Opossum By T. Mike Childs NC Government & Heritage Library, 2013. 2008–September 28, 2011 See also: Slow Poke the Possum, Opossums Heidi the Cross-Eyed Opossum [...] (from Government & Heritage Library, State Library of North Carolina.)

by Tise, Larry E. John Franklin Heitman, educator, clergyman, editor, and historian, was born in Davidson County near Lexington, the son of Henry and Eve McRary Heitman. In 1861 he entered Trinity College around which [...] (from Dictionary of North Carolina Biography, University of North Carolina Press.)

by Powell, William S. Hoover, David by William S. Powell, 1988; Revised by SLNC Government and Heritage Library, December 2022 14 Apr. 1781–12 Sept. [...] (from Dictionary of North Carolina Biography, University of North Carolina Press.)

by Johnson, Elmer D. Rednap Howell, "poet of the Regulators," moved to North Carolina from New Jersey, probably in the early 1760s. He settled first in present Chatham County, then moved about 1768 to what is now [...] (from Dictionary of North Carolina Biography, University of North Carolina Press.)

by Roberts, B. W. C. Jackson, Herbert Worth by B. W. C. Roberts, 1988 15 Feb. 1865–30 Dec. 1936 Herbert Worth Jackson, banker and civic leader, was born in Asheboro, the son of Elvira Evelina Worth and Samuel [...] (from Dictionary of North Carolina Biography, University of North Carolina Press.)

by Troxler, George W. Jordan, Benjamin Everett by George W. Troxler, 1988 8 Sept. 1896–15 Mar. 1974 See also:  Charles Edward Jordan (from the Dictionary of North Carolina Biography) Benjamin [...] (from Dictionary of North Carolina Biography, University of North Carolina Press.)

by Powell, William S. Lander, Samuel by William S. Powell, 1991 30 Jan. 1833–14 July [...] (from Dictionary of North Carolina Biography, University of North Carolina Press.)

by Wilson, Clyde. Lane, John Randolph by Clyde Wilson, 1991; Revised by SLNC Government and Heritage Library, April 2023 4 Jul. 1835–31 Dec. 1908 John Randolph Lane, Confederate soldier, was born in western [...] (from Dictionary of North Carolina Biography, University of North Carolina Press.)

by Sink, M. Jewell. Leach, James Madison Brown by M. Jewell Sink, 1991 17 Jan. 1815–1 June 1891 James Madison Brown Leach, lawyer, congressman, and advocate of education and internal [...] (from Dictionary of North Carolina Biography, University of North Carolina Press.)

by Butler, Lindley S. James Lindley, Loyalist militia leader, was born in London Grove, Chester County, Pa., the son of Thomas (1706–81) and Ruth Hadley Lindley (1712–85). Of English origin, the Lindleys by the [...] (from Dictionary of North Carolina Biography, University of North Carolina Press.)

by Long, Dorothy. John Wesley Long, physician and surgeon, was born at Long's Mill in Randolph County. He was the son of Dr. Wesley, a general practitioner, and Margaret Troy Long. His father died when John Wesley was [...] (from Dictionary of North Carolina Biography, University of North Carolina Press.)

by Mills, L. Barron, Jr. John Long, Jr., congressman, legislator, and farmer, was born in Loudoun County, Va., and moved with his parents to the northeastern corner of Randolph County. The family settled at what later became [...] (from Dictionary of North Carolina Biography, University of North Carolina Press.)

by Helms, J. Douglas. Walter Clay Lowdermilk, soil conservationist, was born in Liberty, Randolph County, the son of Henry Clay and Helen Vashti Lawrence Lowdermilk. In his youth the family moved to Missouri, then to [...] (from Dictionary of North Carolina Biography, University of North Carolina Press.)

by Thompson, Paul B. Henderson Luelling, nurseryman and agricultural entrepreneur, was born in Randolph County, the son of Mesheck Luelling, a physician and nurseryman of Welsh descent and a member of the Back Creek [...] (from Dictionary of North Carolina Biography, University of North Carolina Press.)

by Morgan, Thomas S. McAlister, Alexander Worth by Thomas S. Morgan, 1991 21 Mar. 1862–20 Nov. [...] (from Dictionary of North Carolina Biography, University of North Carolina Press.)

by Underwood, William, Jr. Doctor Bulla McCrary, merchant, manufacturer, philanthropist, and chairman of the North Carolina State Highway Commission, was born on a farm near Asheboro, the son of William Franklin and Frances [...] (from Dictionary of North Carolina Biography, University of North Carolina Press.)

by Walser, Richard. John Charles McNeill, poet, journalist, and lawyer, was born at Ellerslie, his father's farm near Wagram in Richmond (later Scotland) County. His two grandfathers had emigrated from Argyllshire, [...] (from Dictionary of North Carolina Biography, University of North Carolina Press.)

by Mcpherson, H. Holt. James Henry Millis, manufacturer, merchant, banker, and businessman, was born in Guilford County of English ancestry. His father was James Nicholson Millis, a successful businessman and farmer; his [...] (from Dictionary of North Carolina Biography, University of North Carolina Press.)

by Underwood, William, Jr. Elvira Worth Jackson Walker Moffitt, patriot, club member, editor, and writer, was born in Asheboro, the daughter of Martitia Daniel and Jonathan Worth, who later became state treasurer and then [...] (from Dictionary of North Carolina Biography, University of North Carolina Press.)

by Shrader, Richard A. William Montgomery, physician, state legislator, and congressman, was born near North Buffalo Creek in northeastern Guilford County three miles from Bethel Church. One of four children of Scot-Irish [...] (from Dictionary of North Carolina Biography, University of North Carolina Press.)

by Terrill, Thomas E. James Alexander Odell, merchant and business leader, was born at Cedar Falls, Randolph County, the son of James, a farmer, and Anna Trogden Odell. After completing his studies at Middleton Academy in [...] (from Dictionary of North Carolina Biography, University of North Carolina Press.)

by Terrill, Thomas E. John Milton Odell, merchant and business leader, was born in Randolph County, the son of James, a farmer, and Anna Trogden Odell. After attending Middleton Academy, he taught school for several [...] (from Dictionary of North Carolina Biography, University of North Carolina Press.)

by Hill, Michael. William R. Odell, textile manufacturer and state senator, was born in Randolph County on March 3, 1855, the son of John M. and Rebecca Kirkman Odell. While he was a small child, Odell’s family moved [...] (from Research Branch, NC Office of Archives and History.)

by Holland, Irma Ragan. Hubert Ethridge Olive, Sr., superior court judge, legislator, and Baptist layman, was born in Randleman of English-Irish ancestry, the sixth child of Andrew Jackson (24 Oct. 1894–18 Feb. 1911), a [...] (from Dictionary of North Carolina Biography, University of North Carolina Press.)

by Zug, Charles G., III. Benjamin Wade Owen, traditional potter, was born and raised near the Westmoore community in northwestern Moore County, the son of Rufus and Martha McNeill Owen. As a member of a large clan of [...] (from Dictionary of North Carolina Biography, University of North Carolina Press.)

by Case, Steven. Lee's son Richard Petty and his grandson Kyle Petty have taken the family vocation to new heights. Richard Petty's career included 200 NASCAR Winston Cup wins and he was nine times named the Most [...] (from Government & Heritage Library, State Library of North Carolina.)

by Copeland, J. Isaac. Annie Florence Petty, pioneer North Carolina librarian was born in the Bush Hill community (now Archdale), Randolph County, the daughter of William Clinton, a successful businessman, and Mary [...] (from Dictionary of North Carolina Biography, University of North Carolina Press.)

by Bursey, Maurice M. Mary Maria Petty, chemist and educator, was the pioneer woman chemist in North Carolina. Born in the Quaker community of Bush Hill (since 1887, Archdale), she was the third of seven children of [...] (from Dictionary of North Carolina Biography, University of North Carolina Press.)

by Green, C. Sylvester. Guy Berryman Phillips, educator, was born in rural Randolph County, southwest of Asheboro, the eldest child of Jessie Lee and Fannie Polk Waddell Phillips. A successful farmer, Jessie Lee Phillips [...] (from Dictionary of North Carolina Biography, University of North Carolina Press.)

by Rorrer, Clifford Kinney. Charlie Clay Poole, pioneer country music recording artist, banjoist, singer, and entertainer, was born in Randolph County, the son of Philip, whose father was an Irish immigrant, and Betty Johnson [...] (from Dictionary of North Carolina Biography, University of North Carolina Press.)

by Rives, Ralph Hardee. Jesse Eli Pritchard, Methodist minister and administrator, was a native of Asheboro, the son of Isaiah Franklin and Nancy Ellen Conner Pritchard. Upon graduation from Western Maryland College in [...] (from Dictionary of North Carolina Biography, University of North Carolina Press.)

by Rives, Ralph Hardee. James Manly Rhodes, Methodist minister, educator, and college owner and administrator, was born in Four Oaks, Johnston County, the son of Atlas J. K. and Spicey West Rhodes. He received bachelor's [...] (from Dictionary of North Carolina Biography, University of North Carolina Press.)

by Eagles, Brenda M. William McKendree Robbins, educator, lawyer, and legislator, was born in Randolph County to Ahi and Mary Brown Robbins. He received his early education at subscription schools and at a local academy [...] (from Dictionary of North Carolina Biography, University of North Carolina Press.)

by Powell, William S. Robertson, Judge Buxton by William S. Powell, 1994 26 Oct. 1875–20 Dec. 1946 Judge Buxton Robertson, teacher and author, was born in Alamance County, the son of Columbus [...] (from Dictionary of North Carolina Biography, University of North Carolina Press.)

by Massengill, Stephen E. Edward Featherston Small, Confederate soldier, photographer, and salesman, was born near Washington, Beaufort County, the son of Henry H. and Margaret Hill Small. He was a cousin of Congressman John [...] (from Dictionary of North Carolina Biography, University of North Carolina Press.)

by Morgan, David T. Much more is known of young Stearns and his activities after 1745. Stirred deeply by George Whitefield's preaching in that year, he, along with other advocates of the Great Awakening, left the [...] (from Dictionary of North Carolina Biography, University of North Carolina Press.)

by Whatley, L. McKay. Benjamin Swaim, lawyer, printer, author, and newspaperman, was almost certainly the son of William (10 Mar. 1770–1 June 1850) and Elizabeth Sherwood Swaim (8 Nov. 1773–14 Aug. 1835). They and several [...] (from Dictionary of North Carolina Biography, University of North Carolina Press.)

by Pennywitt, Neil C. Absalom Tatom, military leader, delegate to the Constitutional Convention of 1788, and a member of Congress, was born in Granville County. He first appears in North Carolina records as a sergeant in [...] (from Dictionary of North Carolina Biography, University of North Carolina Press.)

by Keever, Homer M. David Matthew Thompson, educator, better known as D. Matt Thompson, was born near Long's Mill in Randolph County, the son of Samuel and Elizabeth Moser Thompson. He attended the county's public [...] (from Dictionary of North Carolina Biography, University of North Carolina Press.)

by Wilson, Clyde. Holland McTyeire Thompson, historian of the New South, was born in Randolph County to D. Matt and Mary Elizabeth Rice Thompson. Reared in Denver, Lincolnton, and Statesville, where his father was for [...] (from Dictionary of North Carolina Biography, University of North Carolina Press.)

by Williams, Max R. Tomlinson, Sidney Halstead, Sr. by Max R. Williams, 1996 4 May 1876–15 Mar. 1949 Sidney Halstead Tomlinson, Sr., High Point furniture manufacturer, was born at Bush Hill (now Archdale) in [...] (from Dictionary of North Carolina Biography, University of North Carolina Press.)

by Auman, William T., Tise, Larry E. Bryan Tyson, controversialist and Unionist, was born in the Brower's Mill community of southeastern Randolph County, the son of Aaron Tyson, a relatively prominent farmer, enslaver, and Quaker [...] (from Dictionary of North Carolina Biography, University of North Carolina Press.)

by Jackson, Blyden. Islay Walden, black poet and Congregational minister, was born in Randolph County, the son of a woman named Ruth who was enslaved by James Gardner and William D. Walden, a free black man. At [...] (from Dictionary of North Carolina Biography, University of North Carolina Press.)

by Jones, H. G. Weeks, Stephen Beauregard by H. G. Jones, 1996 2 Feb. 1865–3 May 1918 Stephen Beauregard Weeks, historian, bibliographer, collector of North Caroliniana, and government official, was born [...] (from Dictionary of North Carolina Biography, University of North Carolina Press.)

by Powell, William S. Milton Winslow, Quaker minister and author, was born in Randolph County, the oldest child of Thomas and Anna (Nancy) Nixon Winslow, members of the Back Creek Quaker Monthly Meeting. His mother died [...] (from Dictionary of North Carolina Biography, University of North Carolina Press.)

by King, William E. Marquis Lafayette Wood, Methodist clergyman, missionary, and college president, was born near Concord Camp Ground in Randolph County, the tenth of fourteen children of Jones Kendrick and Ruth Loftin [...] (from Dictionary of North Carolina Biography, University of North Carolina Press.)

by Mceachern, Leora Hiatt. Worth, David Gaston by Leora Hiatt Mceachern, 1996 18 Dec. 1831–21 Nov. 1897 David Gaston Worth, merchant and state salt commissioner during the Civil War, was born in Asheboro, the only son [...] (from Dictionary of North Carolina Biography, University of North Carolina Press.)

by Zuber, Richard L. Jonathan Worth, Civil War treasurer, Reconstruction governor, legislator, lawyer, planter, and businessman, was descended from a line of Quaker ancestors extending back to colonial Nantucket. The [...] (from Dictionary of North Carolina Biography, University of North Carolina Press.)

by Cross, Jerry L. Jonathan Worth (1802-1869) found his Quaker upbringing and temperament tested by the trials of Reconstruction. The first of Dr. David and Eunice Gardner Worth’s twelve children, Jonathan Worth was [...] (from Research Branch, NC Office of Archives and History.)

by Powell, William S. Manleff Jarrell Wrenn, pioneer furniture manufacturer in High Point, was born near Liberty in Randolph County, the son of Merritt C. and Nancy Elizabeth Jarrell Wrenn. His father, a farmer, was a [...] (from Dictionary of North Carolina Biography, University of North Carolina Press.)

by Powell, William S. Thomas F. Wrenn, manufacturer and financier, was born near Liberty in Randolph County, the son of Merritt C. and Nancy Elizabeth Jarrell Wrenn. His father, a Confederate soldier, died near the end of [...] (from Dictionary of North Carolina Biography, University of North Carolina Press.)

by King, William E. York, Brantley by William E. King, 1996 3 Jan. 1805–7 Oct. 1891 Brantley York, Methodist clergyman, educator, lecturer, and author, was born near Bush Creek [...] (from Dictionary of North Carolina Biography, University of North Carolina Press.)