In the book's own words, not ours, with obvious scanning errors fixed. Families often supplied these stories to the publisher, so check key dates.
Born 1858
From History of Linn County Iowa : from its earliest settlement to the present time (1911)
F. J. RICHARDS
F. J. Richards, an enterprising and progressive agriculturist, and stockman of Linn county, is the owner of an excellent farm of two hundred and two acres in Buffalo township. His birth occurred in Wisconsin in 1858. his parents being James and Elizabeth (Hendy) Richards, both of whom were natives of England. The year 1860 witnessed their arrival in Linn county and the father purchased and located upon a farm of one hundred and sixty acres in Boulder township. After having devoted his attention to its cultivation and improvement for a period of twenty years he sold the property and removed to Anamosa. Jones county, where he spent the remainder of his life, passing away about 1900. His widow subsequently came to Viola, where her demise occurred in 1908. Unto this worthy couple were born eight children, as follows: Mary Ann, who is deceased; William H.; George C, who passed away in 1907; Joseph J.; Charlotte E.; Frederick T. F. J.; and Louis A., who died in 1890.
[This passage is too damaged in the scanned book to reproduce. See the original book.]
- On the 22d of March, 1SS2. Mr. Richards was united in marriage to Miss Nancy E. Minehart, a daughter of George and Lena (Bruner) Minehart, both of whom were natives of Ohio. They came to Iowa at an early day and spent the remainder of their lives on a farm in Linn county. Their children were five in number, namely: Malinda, the wife of 0. P. Hart, of Springville; Hannah, the wife of P. T. Richards, of this county; Mrs. F. J. Richards; George E., who is a resident of Buffalo township; and J. P.. living in Canada. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Richards have been born five children, as follows: one who died in infancy: George E., who is married and makes his home in Colorado; Bessie C, the wife of F. D. Stoddard, of Buffalo township; Frances, the wife of L. Hargraves, of Shenandoah, Iowa; and Jay D., at home.
[This passage is too damaged in the scanned book to reproduce. See the original book.]
As printed in History of Linn County Iowa : from its earliest settlement to the present time (1911). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.
The printed record stops around 1911. We trace your line from there down to you, with every source cited.