Joel Richardson

As printed in 1903

JOEL RICHARDSON.

Joel Richardson well illustrates that type of man who, in a new country, begins his career in a log schoolhouse as pupil, then as teacher, then as a growing factor among his fellows, and in later years holds one after another of responsible offices until he becomes a recognized leader of men. Such meteoric development we are inclined to look for in action rather than in every day life, but in him whose record follows, it is sober truth.

He was born in McDonough county, Illinois, on the nth day of.August, 1839. His father, Anson Richardson, claims Ohio as his natal state, whence he moved to McDonough county, where he engaged in agricultural pursuits, going from there to the state of Iowa and locating at Steady Run in Keokuk county, finally settling in Lancaster township in the year 1862, where he still lives at the advanced age of eighty-seven years.

His mother, Lydia Weller, came with her people from Kentucky in the early days and settled in Indiana. She also lived to the ripe old age of seventy-two years, having celebrated her golden wedding in the bosom of her family and her friends, an occasion which was made a time of great rejoicing and festivity. Sixteen children were born to her, eight of whom lived to maturity.

Of these children Joel was the third and was eight years old when he came to Keokuk county and thence went to Steady Run, where upon the rough slab benches of the old log schoolhouse he learned his early lessons and became so proficient that at the age of twenty-two years he was given the position of teacher and for eighteen years thereafter in the winter time continued his work of teaching-, doing farming and carpentering in the summer time. His first marriage in 1860 in Steady Run was to Mary C. Brown, who died leaving three children, Schuyler; Julia, wife of Perry Weller of Sigourney, a prosperous photographer; and Viola, unmarried. By his second marriage in 1876 to Mary E. Hubbard he had five children. His wife was born in Lancaster, Keokuk county, Iowa, and was the daughter of William H. and Samaria (Chastain) Hubbard, who were early settlers of Keokuk county. J "heir children were Lucia, Ralph, Carl. Ray and Frank. In 1863 he came to Lancaster township and located on the farm where he now lives. This consists of one hundred and ninety-one acres of rich bottom land running down to Skunk river, and from the porch of his house may be had a beautiful view across his highly improved fruitful land. He does a general merchandise business together with his brother George, whose history appears in this work, and combines with this very successfully the managing of his farm.

He espouses the principles of Democracy and usually cases his vote in support of the Democratic candidates. He has risen from one position to another as the years go by, having served in many township offices; he was justice of the peace for about ten years, during which time his decisions and official acts were guided by great discretion and wisdom; was also clerk of the courts for a considerable time; and during all the fifty-seven years of his residence in Keokuk county he has been intimately identified with the growth of its institutions, and has always been esteemed as one of the most influential and competent men of the county. He made use of every opportunity in life, and obstacles to him were but stepping stones to further achievements and development.

As printed in A genealogical and biographical history of Keokuk County, Iowa .. (1903). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.