[2] He was 13 years old when the American Civil War began, and lost two brothers who fought for the Confederate States of America.

[7][9] Randolph was appointed the Chief Engineer of the Sanitary District of Chicago on June 7, 1893,[10] and left that position in 1907.

The basic plan for the canal was in the 1887 report of the Commission on Drainage and Water Supply appointed by the Chicago City Council.

Randolph's genius in the construction of the canal and later projects of the district was his strict adherence to the plan and contract requirements.

[12][self-published source] Randolph was appointed to the International Board of Consulting Engineers for the construction of the Panama Canal in May 1905 by President Theodore Roosevelt.