Richards, William Burdette 1865 - 1932

RICHARDS, NACE, JENNIE, CADWELL, MORRISON, EWING, JOHNSON, BROOKS

Posted By: Reid R. Johnson (email)
Date: 8/5/2021 at 20:31:24

Clayton County Register, Thur., 18 Aug. 1932.

Strawberry Point: Mrs. Amelia Nace received the sad message last Monday announcing the death of her brother-in-law, W. B. Richards, of Council Bluffs. Short funeral services were held at Council Bluffs, Thursday afternoon conducted by the Rev. C. J. Perkins. The remains arrived here Friday and were taken to the home of his niece, Mrs. Jennie, where services were held in the afternoon conducted by Rev. Lewis Troyer, pastor of the Congregational church. The pallbearers were old friends of the deceased: Dr. F. H. Howard, C. W. Newberry, M. F. Harwood, L. W. Preston, B. W. Newberry and Dr. H. M. Eaton. Interment took place in the Strawberry Point cemetery, the local Masonic lodge having charge of the service at the grave.

William Burdette Richards was born at Arlington, Iowa, Feb. 10, 1865, and passed away at his home in Council Bluffs, Monday, Aug. 8, 1932, at the age of 67 years. Mr. Richards spent his boyhood in Arlington where he learned before he was seventeen to be a telegraph operator. After two years as operator in Strawberry Point he went to Alton, Iowa, Sept. 7, 1885, to accept a position on the Northwestern Railroad. He worked there until Feb., 1901, rising in his chosen work to the position of station agent. From Alton he moved to Webster City, again as station agent. In July, 1910, he left Webster City for Council Bluffs where he served first as general agent at the city offices and then as traveling passenger and freight agent. This latter position he attained in 1914, and in its capacity he labored until he was stricken with illness, July 17, 1930. He retired from railroad service on the following October 1, after 45 years of constant employment by the Northwestern company.

Mr. Richards was married, May 10, 1887, in Strawberry Point to Miss Lettie Cadwell. To them two children were born, Dr. Dickinson Richards of New York City and Mrs. W. F. (Jean) Morrison of Sioux City. One granddaughter, Jacqueline Morrison completed the family circle. He is also survived by two brothers and three sisters, Walter Richards and Everett Richards, Arlington; Mrs. W. S. Ewing, Des Moines; Mrs. H. J. Johnson, Oaks, N.Dak.; and Mrs. Frances Brooks, Thayer, Kansas. Numerous nephews and nieces live in Arlington and Elkader vicinities.

Belonging to the Masonic order, Mr. Richards was a member of the Bluff City, No. 71, of Council Bluffs and also of Hope chapter of Webster City. He belonged to the Au Bekee Elk Club, Sioux City, was a member of the Council Bluffs Elk club and was also a member of the First Congregational church of Council Bluffs.

His life was centered in his home and his work and was dominated always by the spirit of friends and unassuming usefulness. His friends were both numerous and close. His task as traveling agent for the company was one which demanded much ability at smoothing out difficulties and it has been said of Mr. Richards by many that he always met the difficulty of life with a smile.