Edwin F. Richey (1866-1944)

RICHEY

Posted By: Karon Velau (email)
Date: 9/23/2022 at 21:13:53

Edwin Franklin Richey
(August 28, 1866 – December 29, 1944)

The prosperity of any community, town of city depends upon its commercial activity, its industrial interests and its trade relations and therefore the real upbuilders of a town are those who stand at the head of the leading enterprises. Mr. Richey is engaged in general merchandising in Somers and is also postmaster of that place. He was born in Webster County, Iowa, August 28, 1856, and is the son of Jasper T. and Hattie (Lyons) Richey, the former a native of Ohio and the latter of Sweden. The father was a farmer by occupation and emigrating westward, took up his abode in Webster county, Iowa, in 1849. He died at the early age of thirty-three years. In the schools of Webster County Mr. Richey of this review acquired his education and at the age of sixteen he came to Calhoun County. Entering upon his business career he was employed as a clerk and his first independent venture was in the line of a restaurant at Lohrville. Subsequently he became a traveling salesman and was upon
the road for about five years. In 1899 he came to Somers, where he again embarked in business in his own account, opening a
general store which he has since conducted. He carries the largest stock in this place and has a nice line of goods from which to select. His business methods are honorable and straightforward, and his earnest desire to please, coupled with thrift and energy, has secured to him a very liberal and gratifying patronage. He is today the oldest business man in Somers, having established the first store here on the organization of the town.
In 1887 occurred the marriage of Mr. Richey to Miss Anna McClure, a daughter of James McClure, of Lohrville, and they have two children: Floyd J. and Edwin F. Mr. Richey holds membership with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and with the Modern Woodman Camp at Lohrville. In his political affiliations he is a stanch Republican and is serving as the present postmaster at Somers, having been appointed to the position in 1899. In his religious faith he is a Methodist and his life has ever been in consistent harmony with his professions. In the field of political life and commercial activity, he has won distinction, and today is numbered among the leading, influential and honored citizens of Somers. A young man, he possesses the enterprising spirit of the west which has been the dominent factor in producing the wonderful development of this section of the country. Brooking no obstacles that honest effort can overcome, he has steadily worked his way upward until, having long since left the ranks of the many, he to-day stands among he successful few. [Source – Biographical Record of Calhoun County, Iowa, by S. J. Clarke, 1902, p.338]