- JOHN RICHARDS, a resident of Beloit and a native of the Keystone
State, was born in Luzerne
- County, on the 21st day of June, 1844, and was one of a family
of six children, three sons and three daughters, born to William
and Catherine (ALBERT) RICHARDS. Frances, the eldest is now
the wife of C. W. FANGENROTH, a resident of Edwardsville, Ill.;
Oliver is living in LaFayette County, Wis.; Alice is now deceased;
William makes his home in Mason City, Iowa; and Mary is the wife
of Henry SMITH, of LaFayette County, Wis. William RICHARDS was
a leading citizen of Luzerne County, Pa. In 1857 he left his
eastern home, and accompanied by his family, emigrated to LaFayette
County, Wis., where he engaged in agricultural pursuits. He
was a great reader, was well informed on all affairs pertaining
to the Government, and was a faithful adherent of the Republican
party.
- The education of our subject was received in the common schools
of his native county, and in
- 1857, he came with the family to this State. He remained
under the parental roof until 1862, when, though only eighteen
years of age, he enlisted in the service of his country, being
mustered in at Racine, and was assigned to Company E, of the
31st Wisconsin Infantry. From Racine the Company was sent to
Cairo, Ill., and thence to Columbus, Ky., doing guard duty until
1864, when it joined the 20th Army Corps. As a member of that
command, Mr. RICHARDS participated in the battles of Peach Tree
Creek and Tullahoma, the siege and capture of Atlanta, and was
with Sherman on his celebrated March to the Sea, and through
the Carolinas. At the battle of Bentonville, N.C., the last
engagement of that victorious army, he was wounded and placed
in the field hospital, where he remained for several days, when
he was sent to Goldsborough, then on to New Berne, whence he
proceeded by steamer to New York. On the 28th day of May, 1865,
he received his discharge at Madison, Wis., after having faithfully
served his country for three years.
- Returning to his home at the close of the war, Mr. RICHARDS
remained a resident of LaFayette
- County until 1870, when he removed to Monroe, Green Co.,
Wis., where he was engaged as foreman of the Monroe Wagon Works,
continuing to fill that responsible position until 1882, when
he became a resident of Beloit, where he has since made his home.
Socially, he is a member of the G.A. R. Post of that city, and
in political sentiment is a faithful adherent to the principles
of the Republican party. Although but seven years have elapsed
since he became a resident of Beloit, he has gained many warm
friends in the city, and is highly respected by all with whom
business or pleasure have brought him in contact.
- In 1868, Mr. RICHARDS was united in marriage with Miss Beulah
BERBE, a resident of La
- Fayette County, Wis., where their wedding was celebrated.
By this union two children have been born - Dennie and Kittie,
who are still at home with their parents.
-
- Taken from "The Portrait and Biographical Album of
Rock County, Wis." (c)1889, pp. 781-782.
-
- Courtesy of Carol
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