W. S. RANDOLPH, county judge, was born September 25, 1836, in Trigg County, Ky.; his father, Alexander Randolph, was a native of North Carolina, born in 1800. He was a descendent of the celebrated Randolph family of Virginia, and died in Trigg County, Ky., January, 1865, at the age of sixty-five years. Subject's mother, Malinda (Watkins) Randolph, was a daughter of Samuel Watkins, who died in Trigg County at a very early day. Mrs. Randolph departed this life on January 2, 1878, at the age of sixty-five years. Mr. and Mrs. Randolph were the parents of eight children: G. B. (deceased), W. S. (subject), M. J. (deceased), M. A. (deceased), E. S. (deceased), D. W. (deceased), J. A. and T. L. W. S. Randolph remained under the parental roof until the age of twenty years, when he entered the Cadiz High School, which he attended for three years; at end of that time he engaged as assistant in said school under Prof. Q. M. Tyler, whom he afterward succeeded as principal, serving in the latter position until the year 1862. He followed teaching until 1869, at which time he was appointed assistant assessor of internal revenue, and surveyor of distilleries for the First Congressional District, filling both positions for a period of four years. He came to Caldwell County in 1865, and in 1874 was elected county judge, which office he holds at the present time, having been elected for three consecutive terms. He was united in marrige [sic], April 14, 1864, with Margaret A. Jenkins, of Trigg County, Ky., step-daughter of Judge Collins D. Bradley. This union has been blessed with eight children: M. M., F. F., W. B., E. T., Anna, Pocha, May and Ethel. Mr. Randolph is a member of the I. O. O. F. and votes with the Democratic party. He and wife are active members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, of Princeton.
Source: J. H. Battle, W. H. Perrin, & G. C. Kniffin. Kentucky. A History of the State. Louisville, KY, Chicago, IL: Battey, 1885. Pages 712-713.