Homer E. Richards

RICHARDS, ROBERTSON, WARD

Posted By: Volunteer Transcriber
Date: 3/6/2007 at 10:24:56

Biographies from the 1914 "Past and Present of O'Brien and Osceola Counties of Iowa"

HOMER E. RICHARDS

A man of strong character, good business ability and possessing all of those qualities which make an efficient public official is Homer E. Richards, the present treasurer of Osceola County, Iowa. Starting in life as a teacher in the public schools and later serving many years as a railroad telegrapher, he acquired habits of industry and integrity which have made him an important figure in the life of his county. He has also served as a postmaster, and was for many years bookkeeper and assistant cashier of a bank, and in all of these various capacities he has acquitted himself with credit He has performed all of his duties in a way which was highly satisfactory to all of those concerned.

Homer E. Richards, treasurer of Osceola County, Iowa, was born in Pepin, Pepin County, Wisconsin, in January, 1866, the son of Linus and Isabel (Lowry) Richards, natives of New York and Michigan, respectively. Linus Richards was born in 1823 and died in 1878. He came west to Galena, Illinois, in the early fifties, and from there freighted goods to Reed's Landing, Minnesota, where he opened a general grocery store. During the Civil War he was Provost Marshal of Minnesota, and at the close of the war moved to Pepin County, Wisconsin, where he again engaged in the mercantile business until his death. He was twice married, having one child by the first marriage, Linus G., and by his second marriage there were three children: Homer E., whose history is here delineated; Clarence A., who lives at Langford, South Dakota, and Mrs. Althea Robertson, who is a resident of Steele, North Dakota. The second wife of Linus Richards is now living in Steele, North Dakota, with her daughter.

Homer E. Richards graduated from the Pepin High School in Wisconsin, and while attending school worked at the printer's trade. However, at the age of fifteen an unfortunate accident changed his whole career. At this time he lost his right arm while working in a sorghum mill. After this accident he went back to school and graduated from the high school and then taught in the public schools for two years, after which he learned the trade of a telegrapher and worked in Minneapolis for the first three years after qualifying for actual service. From that city he was transferred to Ellsworth, Minnesota, and from thence to Lake Park, Dickinson County, Iowa. In the fall of 1892 he became telegrapher and agent for the Rock Island Railway at Harris, Osceola County, Iowa, and has lived in this county since that time. He remained at Harris for thirteen years. Upon the organization of a bank there in 1905 he became the bookkeeper and assistant cashier of the institution and remained in that capacity until 1911. In the fall of 1910 he was elected treasurer of Osceola County, and took his office January I, 1911, at Sibley. In the fall of 1912 he was re-elected to this responsible position and will hold until January I, 1915. While living at Harris Mr. Richards was postmaster from 1900 to 1910.

Mr. Richards was married in 1893 to Ida M. Ward, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. J. C. Ward, of Ocheyedan, Iowa, and to this marriage have been born two children, Clarence C., born October 17, 1894, and Marie M., born April 27, 1896.

Mr. Richards has been actively identified with Republican principles and politics since reaching his majority and has always taken a prominent part in local political affairs. The Republican party nominated him for the office of county treasurer and as a Republican he was appointed postmaster at Harris. He and his family are attendants of the Congregational Church and give to it their earnest support. Fraternally, he is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Modern Woodmen of America. Mr. Richards has always taken an active part in the various public enterprises which affected his community and has never withheld his hearty support from any movement which would be of benefit to the community at large. He is a man who keeps in close touch with current events and is always found on the right side of all questions affecting the welfare of his locality.