RICHMOND, E. C.

RICHMOND, WELLS, REED, BURKE

Posted By: Gordon Felland (email)
Date: 6/28/2009 at 21:03:57

E. C. Richmond is one of the progressive business men of Mitchell county now engaged in the drug trade at Riceville. He was born March 16, 1865, in Jenkins township, this county, a son of Fayette and Esther (Wells) Richmond. The father was born in Chautauqua county, New York, March 26, 1833, and in 1855 became a resident of Charles City, Iowa, where he occupied the position of deputy sheriff from 1856 until 1858. He then removed to Riceville and preempted three hundred and twenty acres of land in Jenkins township, after which he concentrated his energies upon general agricultural pursuits until the fall of 1883, when he removed to California, where he resided until his death, which occurred on the 4th of April, 1898. He was a man of liberal education and for years engaged in teaching in the rural schools. He was married on the 18th of October, 1861, to Esther Wells and drove across the country from Illinois, where his wife's parents had located in the late fifties. He then brought his bride to his new Iowa home and the family have since been representatives of Mitchell county. To Mr. and Mr. Richmond were born five children: Frank G., who is living in Riverside, California; E. C., of this review; Ezra W., who is engaged in the drug business at Elma, Iowa; Jessie, the wife of F. D. Reed, of Riverside, California; and Lulu, who was born August 7, 1876, and died in 1894. The wife and mother, who was born September 24, 1834, in Chautauqua county, New York, passed away November 9, 1911.

E. C. Richmond pursued his education in the schools of Riceville and has also learned many valuable lessons in the school of experience. He became connected with the drug trade when seventeen years of age, his father purchasing a store and putting the son in the establishment in order that he might learn medicine. Going to the west, the father left E. C. Richmond in charge of two farms and thus heavy duties and responsibilities devolved upon him. He closely applied himself to the work of the store and to his other business tasks and at the age of twenty-one years successfully passed the required examination before the pharmacy board of Iowa. He has since concentrated his efforts and attention upon the drug trade and is now owner of an excellent store in Riceville, carrying a large and carefully selected line of drugs and druggists' sundries. His establishment is neat and attractive in its appointments and his honorable business methods have secured to him a liberal patronage.

On the 4th of June, 1895, Mr. Richmond was united in marriage to Miss Mary Burke, a daughter of Ed Burke. She was born December 4, 1867, and by her marriage has become the mother of four children: Lula, who is a graduate of the domestic science department of the university at Ames; Lloyd W., who is a student in the Iowa Pharmacy School; Edmond B., now fourteen years of age; and Paul C., who completes the family.

In his political views Mr. Richmond is a republican and served as the first treasurer of the town of Riceville. He was largely instrumental in securing the incorporation of the town and has been a member of the city council and president of the school board, serving in the latter position almost continuously until 1915. He is a very enthusiastic supporter of the public school system and has worked untiringly for the advancement of educational standards. In a word, his aid and influence are always on the side of progress and upbuilding and as a business man and citizen he is widely and favorably known.

Source: History of Mitchell and Worth Counties, Iowa, 1918, Vol. II, page 77.