- WILBERT B. RICHARDS, a farmer and stock-raiser, residing
on section 35, Center Township,
- was born on the 7th day of June, 1841, in Goshen, Litchfield
Co., Conn., and has been a resident of Rock County since 1845,
when he came with his parents, Enos F. and Sarah (ROBERTS) RICHARDS,
both of whom were natives of Connecticut. The family of which
he was a member numbered six children - Henry R., the eldest,
born May 16, 1834, was united in marriage in October, 1869, with
Miss Sarah HAWK, a native of Pennsylvania, and resides in Center
Township, and to them were born three children - William E. and
Earl H., both living at home, while one died in infancy. Hobart
A., who was born Aug. 7, 1837, is unmarried, and is engaged in
the practice of law at Ottawa, Kan. Wilbert B., the subject
of this sketch, is the next in order of birth. Emma E., became
the wife of Norman L. MAXSON, Dec. 31, 1866, and eight children
have been born of their union - Arthur, Hobart Albertus, Cora
L., Thaddeus, a babe yet unnamed and three children who died
in infancy. Charles L. is the husband of Martha HAWK, and resides
with his family of three children in Center Township.
- Our subject was reared to manhood upon his father's farm
in this county, and received his
- education in the public schools. He remained under the parental
roof until the breaking out of the late war, when prompted by
patriotic impulses he responded to his country's call for troops
to put down the rebellion, and enlisted with the boys in blue
of the 13th Wisconsin Infantry. He was mustered in Oct. 8, 1861,
as a member of Company F, and after participating in many hard
fought battles was mustered out at the end of three years on
the 26th day of January, 1864, but veteranized with is old comrades
of the 13th regiment. He then received a veteran furlough and
returned to his home where he was married Feb. 28, 1864. Leaving
his young bride he again returned to the South and faithfully
served his country until the close of hostilities, when he was
mustered out of service.
- As before stated, Mr. RICHARDS was married during his leave
of absence. Miss Austa I.
- WALLIHAN becoming his wife. Mrs. RICHARDS is a daughter
of Pierce and Lucy (FLOWER) WALLIHAN, both natives of Ohio.
They had a family of eleven children, nine of whom grew to man
and womanhood - Orlando F., who was born dec. 29, 1833, at Brookfield,
Ohio, married Miss Currence JOHNSON, also a native of that State,
and seven children were born of their union, two of whom died
in infancy. Rosa, the second child, became the wife of Wright
McFARLAND, of Hartford, Ohio, where they are still residing.
Samuel S. wedded Maria L. BEMIS, of Evansville, Wis., who died
leaving four children, after which he again married, his second
wife being Helen M. WETHERBY, by whom he has two children. Maria
K., who is single, makes her home in Cleveland, Ohio. Sylvia
F., who became the wife of J. M. OWEN, of Footville, Wis., died
in November, 1863. Austa I., wife of our subject, is the fifth
in order of birth. Sylvanus F., was joined in wedlock with Miss
Jane HAMMEL, a native of Pennsylvania, and they have six children,
all residing in Center Township. Edward died at the age of nineteen
years. Seymour died when nine years of age. George P., who
is living in Portland, Oregon, wedded Miss Ella TRAVIS, of St.
Louis, Mo., and they have one child yet living. Charles E.,
who was married and resided at Greenwood, Neb., died in 1887,
leaving a widow and one child, who are now residents of Lincoln,
Neb. Allen G., the youngest of the WALLIHAN family, married
Mrs. Augusta FARNHAM, a native of Wisconsin, and the first white
girl born in Milwaukee; they now reside in Colorado.
- The union of Mr. and Mrs. RICHARDS is blessed with four children
- Gertrude E., who was
- born Feb. 21, 1868; Edward F., born May 2, 1870, died in
the fall of 1871; Franklin F., who was born on the 23d day of
May, 1874, and Harold, who was born on the 4th day of September,
1879. The eldest was born in Center Township, the second in
Kansas, and the other two in Colorado.
- Since his return from the war, Mr. RICHARDS has devoted his
attention to agricultural pursuits
- and is a leading farmer of Center Township. He is now operating
eighty acres of land on section 34. He is a man held in high
esteem in the neighborhood where he resides, and is a worthy
citizen. Mr. RICHARDS is a stalwart Republican, and has served
his township as Assessor and Treasurer, though he is not an aspirant
for political distinction. Though reared under the religious
influences of the Methodist Church, he is liberal in his views,
while Mrs. RICHARDS is a member of the Congregational Church.
-
- Taken from "The Portrait and Biographical Album of
Rock County, Wis." (c)1889, pp. 277-278.
-
- Courtesy of Carol
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