Lewis W. Richards

As printed in 1901

LEWIS W. RICHARDS.

Among Linn county's native sons who have become prominently identified with her business interests is this well-known contractor and builder of Cedar Rapids, whose home is at 1201 Second street west. He was born in this county, June 1, 1852, and is a representative of one of its prominent pioneer families, being a son of Daniel Richards. The father was born in jMuskingum county, Ohio, in 1817, and in 1833 removed to Grant county, Indiana, where he grew to manhood. He was married in Blackford, that state, in 1839, to Miss Sarah Jane Lewis, whose birth occurred near Wheeling, West Virginia. The year following their marriage they came to Iowa and took up their residence in Fayette township, Linn county, where the father erected a steam sawmill upon his farm, having brought the machinery with him from Mt. Vernon, Ohio, with twenty-eight or thirty yoke of oxen, as it made several heavy loads. For many years he successfully engaged in the manufacture of lumber in connection with the operation of his farm, and continued to make his home here throughout life. He died in February, 1896, at the age of seventy-nine years, and his wife passed away May 26, 1895.

Lewis W. Richards acquired his primary education in an old log school house near his childhood home, and was reared amid pioneer scenes. In early life he spent about four years in learning photography at Cedar Rapids, and then opened a studio of his own at Jessup, Buchanan county, Iowa, where he engaged in business for about a year. On selling out there he removed to Shellsburg, where he carried on business for two years, when his gallery and all that he possessed was burned in the fire that almost destroyed that town.

Mr. Richards then returned to Cedar Rapids, where he commenced learning the carpenter's trade with Null & Smith. A year later he went to Sycamore, Illinois,' where he completed his apprenticeship, remaining there two years. On his return to Linn county, Iowa, he worked at his trade in Fayette township for a time, and later followed the same occupation in Ohio and Florida. In 1880 he located permanently in Cedar Rapids, and has since been actively engaged in business here as a contractor and builder, having erected many business houses and private residences. During the busy season he employs a large force of men, and secures a liberal share of the public patronage. He also bought lots and erected several residences for himself, having just completed his own home, which is one of the neatest and best on South Second street west.

On the 31st of July. 1884, Mr. Richards was united in marriage with Miss Mary Isabel Pitt, who was also born, reared and educated in this county, her father, Philip Pitt, being one of its early settlers and substantial farmers. He died at Sisley Grove in November, 1889, and his wife, whose maiden name was Sarah Jane Winterstine, died about 1873. She was a daughter of Nicholas Winterstine, one of the first settlers of Linn county.

On national issues Mr. Richards is identified with the Republican party, as is also his brothers, but at local elections he. supports the men whom he believes best qualified for office, regardless of party affiliations. He was a member of the city council from 1892 to 1894, but has declined to accept further honors along that line, preferring to give his undivided attention to his business interests. He is a prominent member of the subordinate lodge and encampment lodges of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows; has filled all the chairs in the lower branch, and is now past grand and past patriarch. Both he and his wife have also taken the Rebekah degrees, she having united with the order in 1884. She has filled all the chairs; was treasurer of the state assembly two years; and has missed but two meetings of that body in fourteen years. Mr. Richards represented his lodge in the grand lodge two years. He is also a member of the Knights of Pythias, the Uniformed Rank of that order, and D. O. K. K. Temple, while his wife holds membership with the Rathbone Sisters, which is an auxiliary to the Knights of Pythias, and she has held official positions in that lodge. They are quite prominent socially, and are highly respected and esteemed by all who know them.

As printed in Biographical records of Linn County, Iowa .. (1901). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.