RICHARDSON, James S. 1847 - 1892

RICHARDSON, HOPKINS, RISK

Posted By: Joey Stark
Date: 7/4/2006 at 21:24:20

"The Fairfield Tribune"
October 19, 1892
Page 7, Column 3

THE FLIGHT OF A BOLD SPIRIT.

It is with more than usual feeling that we write of the death of James S. RICHARDSON, brief mention of whose demise we made last week. A proper estimate of no man's character can be made within the brief limits of a newspaper notice, and in this instance we shall not attempt it. We cannot, however, refrain from a word. He was a man of strong character and of singular ability, and no man has lived in this city who had more or warmer friends. Mr. RICHARDSON had a mind of peculiar originalty, and had a keen likeness for intellectual pursuits. He was a lover of books and enjoyed the companionship of book lovers. It was his greatest delight to read from his favorite authors, and all who know him speak of the wonderful way in which his mind was stored with the gems of the best authors. He was a companionable man, too, enjoyed his friends, and made them right and left. His manner was hearty and his nature open and sincere, qualities which ever attract, so that he always had plenty of friends about him. He had a tender and sympathetic heart, and many a time have we seen his eyes fill with tears as he quoted in his rich brogue some of the beautiful passages from his favorite Robert Burns. But Mr. RICHARDSON was a public spirited man, too, as much so as any in the city, and many an improvement in Fairfield today the city owes to the active support it got by word and in a more substantial way from "Jim" RICHARDSON. But we cannot recount all his good qualities, and so mention only a few. He has gone. The light of his life, his hand shake, his genial presence, and his earnest voice, can be heard, and seen, and felt, no more. Out of the light and into we know not what. Or is it out of the darkness, where here we only grope, and into the fight? We hope, yet who can tell? Ah, the mystery of mysteries, the mystery of death! Yet thus we go, and shall go, yesterday, today, and tomorrow! So it is, indeed,

"The past we know.
The future is our anxious care:
We paint a heave of bliss on high
And dream that we are there"

J. S. RICHARDSON was born in Cumberland, Maryland, October 7, 1847. He came with his parents to Jefferson county in 1852, and resided here ever since. As a young man his active mind led him into many pursuits. He was a telegraph operator, a train hand, a teacher, an insurance agent, and a book agent. Finally he settled down to clerking in E. M. Kann's clothing store and made a great success. Afterwards he established a clothing house in this city and conducted it for many years, building up a fine business, getting to the very front in a mercantile way, and for years was known as "The Senate." Some two or three years ago his health became so very poorly that he sold out his interest to his partner, Mr. H. F. Booker, and since then has been practically engaged in trying to restore his health. He was married January 5, 1887, at Oswego, Ill., to Miss Agnes HOPKINS who survives him, and will remain in Fairfield. His disease was a spinal trouble and had been growing on him for years. Though eminent specialists had been repeatedly consulted, no practical benefit was received, and he continued to be subject to attacks that prostrated him. The last of these came on about three weeks before his death, and for the last week or ten days all hope of recovery had been abandoned. He lay very low all the afternoon of the 12th, and was so near death that it was actually reported several hours before it finally came. He died at 6 o'clock that afternoon. The funeral took place at the residence on the afternoon of the 14th, and was very largely attended. Dr. Magill conducted the services, and the pall bearers were C. D. Leggett, J. S. McKemey, H. F. Booker, W. C. Ball, J. P. Manatrey, and E. A. Howard.

*Transcribed for genealogy purposes; I have no relation to the person(s) mentioned.

Note: Buried in Evergreen Cemetery, Fairfield, IA, in Lot Old.P.327. Wife Agnes HOPKINS remarried to Charles C. RISK and died in 1928; she was buried with Charles in Lot Old.P.221, also at Evergreen.