Richeson, Claude H.

RICHESON, HUGHES, WOOLSTON

Posted By: Janelle Martin (email)
Date: 2/21/2010 at 15:38:53

History of Hamilton County, Iowa, vol II, 1912, p.118

CLAUDE H. RICHESON.

Claude H. Richeson, secretary, treasurer and general manager of the Webster City Mercantile Company, has been identified with commercial interests in Hamilton County since August, 1900, and has been in his present connection since 1905. A spirit of enterprise and laudable ambition prompts him to put forth earnest and persistent effort and the intelligent direction of his labors is bringing to him very gratifying success. A native of Iowa, Mr. Richeson was born in Marshall County, February 7, 1877, his parents being Martin and Elizabeth (Hughes) Richeson. The father removed from Illinois to Marshall County in 1855 and there followed the occupation of farming, becoming a well known breeder of shorthorn cattle and in that way contributing in substantial measure to the improvement of the stock-raising interests of the district.

At the usual age C. H. Richeson began his education in the district schools and after attending the high school entered the Iowa College at Grinnell and later was a student in the Capital City Commercial College at Des Moines. In 1895. then eighteen years of age, he entered upon the active work of life by teaching school in Marshall County, following the profession from 1895 until 1898. He then opened a general store at State Center and continued the business for two years or until August, 1900, when he came to Webster City and organized the firm of Hughes & Richeson, opening a notion store known as the Kash Savings Store. He was active in its conduct until August, 1905, when he assisted in the organization of the Webster City Mercantile Company, becoming secretary, treasurer and general manager. This is a well appointed establishment, carrying a large and carefully selected line of goods, the attractive arrangement of which together with the reasonable prices and honorable business policy of the house secure for the company a liberal patronage.

On the 7th of July, 1903, Mr. Richeson was united in marriage to Miss Laura B. Woolston. her father being A. P. Woolston, a retired farmer and merchant of Webster City. Our subject and his wife now have three children, namely: Marion, whose birth occurred in 1904; and Frances and Dorothy, who were born in the years 1907 and 1911 respectively. The family occupy a pleasant home at No. 745 Walnut Street and are prominent in the social circles of the city.

Mr. Richeson belongs to Elmo Lodge, No. 62, I. O. O. F. ; Webster City Lodge, No. 302, B. P. O. E. ; and Webster City Camp, No. 416, M. W. A. To their teachings he is loyal, recognizing the fact that in their tenets are found high standards of manhood. Since 1910 he has been president of the Webster City Commercial League and in this connection is putting forth earnest and effective effort to promote the welfare of the business interests at large. At the same time he is carefully and systematically promoting his individual affairs and is an alert, energetic, progressive business man, numbered among the valued citizens of his community.