Joseph M. Richardson

As printed in 1903

JOSEPH M. RICHARDSON.

According to the best information obtainable Mr. Richardson is of Scotch descent. The great-grandfather is said to have come from Scotland. He must have lived for some time in the state of New York, for there a son, Joseph, was born. This son became one of the early settlers of Ohio, later went to Indiana and subsequently moved to Mc- Donough county, Illinois, where he died at the age of sixty-two.

Joseph M. Richardson, the subject of this sketch, was the son of Thomas and Eliza Ann (Weller) Richardson. The father was a son of the elder Joseph and was born September 8, 1809, in Ohio. He early went to Indiana and in 1836 removed to Illinois, McDonough county. He remained here until 1845, when by covered wagon he came to Iowa. This was two years after the western part of the state was opened for settlement. Thomas took up farming land from the government in Steady Run township, Keokuk county, where he lived until the time of his death, in 1872. The date of entry is fixed as 1846 and the land is still in the family. As pioneers they naturally underwent many hardships, but trials shared in common are the meeting ground for congenial people, and the steadfast, trustful nature of both man and wife secured for Mr. and Mrs. Richardson the joy of many friendships. They were parents of twelve children, namely: Lydia M.; Joseph M.; Benjamin F., of Martinsburg, Iowa; Francis P., living on the old homestead; Man- Ellen; James W., deceased; David, residing in Lewis, Iowa; Eliza Jane; Bennett J., who died; Gilbert B., of Sigourney; Harriet and Emma, who have both died. Thomas Richardson was originally a Whig but later joined the Democratic party. Both he and his wife were members of the Predestinarian Baptist church.

Eliza Ann Weller was born in Kentucky, December 30. 181 5. Her father, Joseph Weller, was a pioneer settler of Indiana, in which state he died. His wife was Margaret Fry, a native of Kentucky, whose family came originally from Pennsylvania. The Weller and Fry families are both of Dutch descent. Eliza Ann Weller was a woman of sweet yet forceful character. She died in Keokuk county, Iowa, in 1894.

Joseph M. Richardson was born on a farm in Vermilion county, Indiana, January 7, 1836. At the age of six months his parents mined to Illinois, and when only nine years old he went with them to Iowa. His life has been that of a pioneer with limited advantages for education, small leisure and plenty of hardship, privation and strenuous labor. He was reared on the farm and the ordinary common schools were his means of instruction, save those sure and more effective means which try the settle and prepare admirably for life; we mean the struggle with pioneer difficulties, the revelations of and communion with nature and the actual contact with real men. He early went to work for strangers, on the farm as the all-around hand and in the country store as clerk. Up to his twentieth year his wages went to his parents. At that time, in 1856, he married and settled on a farm in Lancaster township. There he lived until 1869, devoting his time chiefly to farming and carpentering. In April, 1869, lie moved to Ioka, Iowa, where he opened a general store, which he conducted for fourteen years. He spent one year in farming and in 1884 went into the general merchandise business at Martinsburg, Iowa. In 1885 he was elected on the Democratic ticket to the office of county auditor. He moved to Sigourney m the spring of the following year. In the fall of 1887 he was re-elected by his party and at the expiration of his second term, in the spring of 1890, he moved to a farm near Martinsburg, which he had received in exchange for his general store. In 1891, in February, he sold this farm and returned to the merchandise business, this time at Sigourney, which city he has since made his home. He conducted this general store for nine years, sold out and after a lapse of one year bought a half interest in a retail hardware business. After one year he sold his share in that store and now he is living a retired life, enjoying the rewards of years of labor.

On October 9, 1856, Mr. Richardson married Miss Emily, daughter of John C. and Pamela Jacobs, who came to Keokuk county about 1846. She is a native of Indiana. The union was blessed by the birth of nine children: Henry L., deceased; Frank P.; Malissa E.; William H, who has also held office as county auditor; Edward E.; Thomas S., deceased; S. Walter; Albert L.; and Susan J. Richardson. Mr. Richardson is a splendid example of the self-made man; his life is an illustration of what industry, application and perseverance will accomplish.

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.