Richards

THOMAS F

Posted By: COL Brad Anderson (email)
Date: 1/2/2004 at 13:03:14

"Another pioneer of the this county and resident of West Union has been called to rest in the person of T.F. Richards, whose death ocurred Saturday morning, February 25th [1929]after a brief illness. Services were held at the home Monday afternoon and the body taken to the Illyria township church which is just across the road from the Richards farm which was his home for so many years. The service was in charge of his pastor, the Rev. I.E. Sheldon of the Methodist Episcopal church. The ushers and musicians were chosen from among the old friends of the deceased, many of whom were in his Sabbath school class in Illyria and from among the music students of his daughter, Miss Amy Richards. Walter Rothlisberger, J. Shaffer, and Wallace Peters. Harold Strong furnished special musical numbers. Mr. Richards was an upright citizen, respected and liked by all. He was always interested in the progress of the community and held from time to time many places of trust and responsibility. He was a loving and faithful husband and father and a true friend to others. He delighted in his work as superintendent of the Illyria Sunday school, a position he held for many years.

Thomas Foxwell Richards was born in Cornwall, England, May 18, 1850. At the age of four years he came with his parents to America, settling in Racine county, Wisconsin, where he grew to young manhood. His parents, Edward and Amy Foxwell Richards, were among the earliest settlers of couny, Iowa, where he successfully (missing words here) Wisconsin. In 1877 he came to Fayette engaged in farming in Illyria and Union townships. He moved with his family to West Union in 1912, buying the George Gilson property where he lived until his death.

On December 29, 1879, he was united in marriage to Miss Katie Foxwell of Illyria township and to their union was born three children: Amy, at home; Mrs. Bessie Shaffer of Illyria, and Mrs. Edith Coburn of Waterloo, all of whom were privileged to be with their father in his last hours. Besides Mrs. Richards and three daughters, he is survived by four grandchildren, La Fonda, Ralph, Thomas, and J.D. Shaffer and one sister, Mrs. G.A. West of Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Mr. Richards will long be mourned by his friends."