James F Richey

RICHEY

Posted By: County Coordinator
Date: 3/11/2009 at 16:19:40

James F Richey is now living a retired life in Pilot Mound and for many years he was a thrifty and enterprising farmer of Webster and Boone counties. His birth occurred in Ohio, he being a native of Wayne county, that state, where he first opened his eyes to the light of day on November 7, 1845, his parents being G T and Martha (Richards) Richey. The Richey family is of Irish lineage and was established in Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, at an early day. It was in that county that the father of our subject was born in 1804, and in 1822 accompanied the family on their removal to Ohio. They cast in their lot with the first settlers of Wayne county, for that district was then upon the western frontier, civilization having advanced but little beyond the mountains. G T Richey was married in Wayne county to Miss Martha Richards, a native of Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania and also a native of on e of the early families of Wayne county, Ohio. Mr Richey was a miller by trade and followed that business in Wayne county for a quarter of a century, conducting both a flouring mill and sawmill. His industry was one of value in those pioneer times, furnishing lumber as well as bread stuffs to the early settlers. Seven children were added to the family in Ohio, and in 1854, with his wife and children, Mr Richey came to Iowa, entering a large tract of land from the government in Webster county near the present town of Dayton. Making his home thereon he labored indefatigably and earnestly for the development of the farm that it should prove a source of income sufficient to enable him to provide comfortably for his family. He realized the hope which brought him to the west and in course of time was enabled to improve his place with good buildings and make his land a very attractive and arable tract. He became one of the prosperous and enterprising farmers of the county and spent his last years there, dying on April 9, 1882. His wife survived him for some time and departed this life November 18, 1892. Mr Richey was one of the prominent and influential residents of Webster county and his fellow townsmen, recognizing his worth and ability, frequently called him to positions of public trust. He served for a number of years as one of the board of county supervisors and through a considerable period acted as its chairman.
James F Richey was the sixth in order of birth in a family of seven children: Margaret A, the wife of Cyrus Burnett, a retired farmer of Dayton, Iowa, Mary J the wife of J R Line of Fort Dodge, Iowa Priscilla, who married Levi Emerson, both now being deceased, Henrietta, the wife of A R Daughenbaugh, of Des Moines, Iowa J F The next of the family, and S B a prominent farmer of Webster county, where he owns a section of land.
James J Richey spent the greater part of his boyhood and youth upon the home farm in Webster county and as far as possible assisted his father in the work of field and meadow. His education was acquired in the home school and after he had attained his majority he carried on the work of the farm for nineteen years and became the owner of the home place. There he devoted his energies to agricultural pursuits until 1887, when he came to Pilot Mound and built a residence there. He has prospered in his undertakings and has engaged in loaning money on real estate and also in buying and dealing in stock. He carried on both branches of his business until quite recently, but now he is practically retired form business life, giving his attention only to the superintendence of his investments and to his official duties.
Mr Richey was married in Boone county, October 11, 1868, to Miss Louisa Baker, who was born in clay county, Indiana, a daughter of Joel Baker, a native of Washington county, Kentucky. He afterward removed to Indiana when a young man, settling in Clay county, where he met and married Ollie Mitchell, also a native of Kentucky, born in his native county. In 1852 Mr Baker removed to Iowa, settling first in Polk county, and in 1853 he came to Boone county, here carrying on farming until his death, which occurred February 12, 1889. His widow still survives her husband and resides upon the old home farm. Mrs Richey was reared in Boone county and is a most estimable lady who has proved an able assistant to her husband on life’s journey.
In his political views Mr Richey is a stanch Democrat always voting for the presidential nominee of his party. He has never had a desire for office, however, his attention being fully occupied by business affairs. Of recent years he has made several trips to the west, visiting Nebraska, Kansas and Colorado. Hew and his wife are members of the Baptist church of Pilot Mound and have many warm friends throughout this section of the state. Mr Richey has been a resident of Iowa for almost half a century and that many who have known him form boyhood are numbered among his firmest friends an indication that his has been an honorable and upright career.

1902 Boone County History Book