On the paternal side the Randersons of Albany trace to a recent English ancestor; on the maternal, their descent is from one of the oldest families of Rhode Island, also founded by an Englishman, Geoffrey (also written Jeffrey) Champlin. Catherine Champlin came of good patriotic stock represented in three generations in four successive wars. Her grandfather served in the revolutionary army and was with Washington at Valley Forge and in many of the battles of the revolution. Her father, a relative of Commodore Perry, served in the war of 1812. Her eldest brother was killed in the Mexican war and five others served in the civil war.
- Abraham, born 1842, died 1844.
- Sally, born 1844; married Jacob Smith.
John Randerson married (second) Catherine Champlin, of Kinderhook, Columbia county, New York, died October, 1907. She was the mother of thirteen children:
- Antoinette, born 1853.
- Marietta, twin of Antoinette.
- Elizabeth, born 1854.
- John P., see forward.
- George, born December 24, 1857.
- Martha, born September 27, 1859.
- Catherine, born November 17, 1861.
- Lavinia, born May 9, 1863.
- Calvin, born December 3, 1864.
- Julia, born January 21, 1867.
- Ida, born September 11, 1868.
- Charlotta, born June 12, 1869.
- Carrie, May 5, 1872.
(II) John P., eldest son and fourth child of John and Catherine (Champlin) Randerson, was born at Schodack Landing, New York, September 9, 1856. He was educated in the public schools and at an early age went to live at Albany, New York. His first business was steamboating on the Hudson river and he was soon one of the owners of a boat. He formed a partnership and continued in business on the river until 1885, when he retired to engage in other business. He purchased a machine shop in Albany, which he operated until 1892, when he disposed of his interests. He then established his present business, river and harbor dredging. He has an ample plant and has fulfilled contracts along the entire Atlantic coast line. He is a successful, energetic and capable business man and has fought life's battle with courage and a determination to succeed. He is a Republican in politics; a Mason, having attained the third degree; member of the Methodist Episcopal church, although his parents were members of Dutch Reformed church; member of Albany Automobile Club and Aurania Club of Albany. He married (first) December 10, 1879, Julia A. Brown, who died December 11, 1881, without issue. He married (second) October 7, 1883, Nannie R. Hall, of Rensselaerville, New York. Children:
- Alice, born December 4, 1884; graduate of Albany high school and Albany Girls' Academy.
- John E. H., born April 30, 1887; educated in the Albany public school; prepared at Ossining Preparatory School, now a student at Union University, class of 1912.
- J. Howard, born August 13, 1890; educated at Albany public and St. John's preparatory school, Ossining, New York; entered Dartmouth College but was forced to retire in his second year on account of ill health.
Mrs. Nannie R. (Hall) Randerson is a daughter of Edward Hall, born 1819, in the North of Ireland, Londonderry, died in Rensselaerville, New York, 1904. He married, June 6, 1844, Mary MacLean; she died March 29, 1909; children:
- Jennie B., born October 23, 1846.
- Robert, born July 1, 1849, deceased.
- Nannie R., born July 17, 1856, married John P. Randerson.
- Alice, born January 27, 1861.
- Edward, died in infancy.