RICHARDSON, Royal

RICHARDSON, DANFORTH, JOHNSON, STONE

Posted By: Sharon R Becker (email)
Date: 1/19/2014 at 05:22:45

Biography ~ Royal Richardson

"Biographical and Historical Record of
Ringgold and Decatur Counties, Iowa"
(Lewis Publishing Company (1887)), pp. 640-43:

ROYAL RICHARDSON, one of the most enterprising and public-spirited citizen of Hamilton Township, Decatur County, was born in Phillipston, Wooster County, Massachusetts, February 12, 1827, his parents, JAMES and SOPHIA (DANFORTH) RICHARSON, being natives of the same State, the father born in Phillipston, October 7, 1793, and the mother in Athol, June 21, 1793. They were united in marriage at Phillipston, February 24, 1819, and to them were born seven children – PIERSON , JAMES, ROYAL, SOPHIA, SUSAN, ELIZABETH and SARAH, ROYAL being the third child. ROYAL RICHARSON was reared on a farm, and educated at the schools of Phillipston. He lived in his native State for twenty-nine years, and on attaining manhood he was married to Miss MARTHA JOHNSON, who was born and reared at Dover, Vermont, a daughter of JAMES and ALMIRA (STONE) JOHNSON. They were the parents of four children – ELIZABETH, SARAH, CLAYTON and MARTHA. In 1854 our subject removed with his wife to Batavia, Kane County, Illinois, and for two years following followed the carpenter and joiners trade, which he had previously learned at Cambridge, Massachusetts. He then came to Iowa, locating at Pleasanton, Decatur County, where he was one of the first settlers. He built a saw and grist-mill at this place, was among the first erected in the county, and for some time did an extensive business. The mill was subsequently burned down, but was again rebuilt by Mr. RICHARDSON, who operated it for six or eight years, when he sold to HENDERSON Brothers. After selling his mill property Mr. RICHARSON followed contracting and building for a time. In 1877 he engaged in the mercantile business, which he followed under the firm mane of EDMUNDS & RICHARDSON, until 1884, when he retired from active business life. Mr. RICHARDSON has held the position of postmaster at Pleasanton for eighteen years. He has taken an active part in improving and building up Pleasanton, and it is mainly due to his efforts that the railroad was located through the town. Mr. RICHARDSON is the owner of 525 acres of well-cultivated land in Hamilton Township and Linley Township, Missouri, which is well improved . He keeps a large stock of cattle and horses. He has one of the pleasantest homes in the village, a commodious barn, an orchard, and is surrounded with all the necessary comforts of life. By his honorable and upright dealings Mr. RICHARDSON has secured the respect of all who know him, and is numbered among the best citizens of Hamilton Township.

Transcribed by Sara LeFleur, Decatur County Historical Society Museum, January of 2014

**********************
History of Decatur County Iowa and Its People
Illustrated, Volumne II.
Prof. J. M. Howell and Heman C. Smith
Supervising Editors
The S.J. Clarke Publishing Company. p. 354. Chicago. 1915

Royal Richardson

Royal Richardson, who is living on his place of fifty-four acres within the city limits of Pleasanton, has reached the venerable age of eighty- eight years and still takes a keen interest in the affairs of his community. He was born on the 12th of February, 1827, in Massachusetts, a son of James and Sophia (Danforth) Richardson, likewise natives of the Bay state. The father farmed in Massachusetts during his active life but after he retired removed to Pleasanton, Iowa, making his home with our subject until his demise.

Royal Richardson received his education in Massachusetts and remained at home until he was fourteen years of age, when he left the parental roof and applied himself to learning the carpenter's trade. He followed that occupation in the east for ten years. In 1854 he removed to Batavia, Illinois, and two years later came to Pleasanton, Decatur county, Iowa, purchasing the fifty-four acres which is his present home. He also bought a sawmill, which he operated for ten years but eventually turned his attention to the mercantile business and conducted a store at the same time supervising his agricultural operations. Later he opened a hotel in the house where he still lives and which he erected in 1860, and for twenty-two years conducted that business, becoming well known and popular to the traveling public. In 1898 he organized a private bank but the cashier proved unworthy of trust and absconded with twenty thousand dollars belonging to our subject, who is now living retired, enjoying a period of well earned rest. He was United States marshal four years soon after the Civil war.

In April, 1851, Mr. Richardson married Miss Martha Johnson, a daughter of Jarus and Myra (Stone) Johnson, natives of Vermont, who resided for many years in Massachusetts, where the father followed agricultural pursuits. He passed away in 1828 but was survived by his widow until 1845. Mr. and Mrs. Richardson have no children of their own but have reared several, giving them parental love and care.

Mr. Richardson is a republican and for thirty years served as mayor of Pleasanton, his long continuance in that office being incontestable proof of the acceptability of his service. His religious faith is that of the Methodist church. He has resided in Pleasanton for almost sixty years and has seen the entire development of the town, as it had just been laid out when he arrived here in 1856. He has done much to promote its development along many lines and one of the greatest services which he has rendered Pleasanton was his efficient work in securing the building of the Burlington Railroad through the town. He is not only rich in years but also in the knowledge of worthy accomplishment and in the honor and warm regard of a host of friends.

Transcription by Sharon R. Becker, August of 2013

The Leon Journal-Reporter
Leon, Decatur County, Iowa
Thursday, July 14, 1938, Page 10

Uncle Royal Richardson and his good wife had a very prominent part in the establishment and the progress of Pleasanton. Both have been dead many yers but their memory lives on. The above picture of Mr. and Mrs. Richardson was taken with a group of their young friends gathered about them.

Transcription by Sharon R. Becker, April of 2015

Decatur Biographies maintained by Constance McDaniel Hall.
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