RICHARDS, Augustus

RICHARDS, EDMONSON, DOGGETT

Posted By: Roseanna Zehner (email)
Date: 5/6/2005 at 17:14:03

Iowa Republican
(No Date)

Augustus Richards died in Mills County, Iowa, December 10, 1851. Augustus Richards in the 71st year of his age. Mr. Richards was born in Virginia in 1780. In his ninth year, he moved with his father’s family to Ross County, Ohio. After going through his primary studies, he commenced, and completed the study of medicine and surgery with Dr. Edmonson of Chilicothe. He afterwards settled in Highland County, Ohio. During his residence here, he served as surgeon in the War of 1812. He removed to Sidney, Ohio, in 1822, where he practiced his profession a number of years, with eminent success. He married in early life, a highly respectable lady, Frances Lee Doggett, the daughter of Elmore and Elizabeth Doggett, of Mason County, Kentucky.

In 1836, he emigrated to Putnam County, Illinois, with his family, five sons and five daughters. Shortly after settling in this state, he embraced the Mormon faith and moved with that people to the western part of Iowa, opposite to Council Bluffs. Having become dissatisfied with the church, he left it and located with part of his family in Mills County on a most delightful tract of land where he was engaged in cultivating the soil till the time of his death. During his illness he at times suffered excruciating pain, which he bore with great firmness and Christian fortitude.

Dr. Richards has left behind him his most excellent lady, five sons and four daughters, to mourn the loss of their earthly parent.

Dr. Richards, in person, was about six feet two inches high, rather lightly built, possessing in his early days great strength, and activity. His features were plain, his brow ample, his eyes clear and expressive, of great firmness, benevolence and intelligence. His manners were easy and cordial, his dress, habits, and tastes simple, and his style of living temperate in the extreme. His entire life was unblemished and the sweetness of his disposition made him the idol of his own family, and the favorite of all who knew him. His mind was of an original and solid cast, admirable balanced, combining the comprehensiveness of reason with the penetration of instinct, a gentler heart in no man’s bosom. But he is dead and numbers mourn his loss, his friends sorrow but not as those who have no hope.