Austin Barton RICHARDSON

RICHARDSON, PARR, GRABER, BELL, SNYDER

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 9/2/2013 at 22:45:39

March 13, 1859 --- September 18, 1953

LAST RITES HELD SUNDAY FOR A. B. RICHARDSON, 94

Austin Barton Richardson, son of George F. and Sarah Jane Richardson, was born March 13, 1859 at Portage, Wisconsin and died at the Restorium in West Des Moines September 18, 1953, at the age of 94 years, six months and five days, following a lingering illness.

The deceased moved to Webster City with his parents in the year ? and as a youth was employed in various mercantile stores, until he moved to Renwick in the year of 1882, where he established a general merchandise of his own and continued active in its operation for about 60 years.

He was one of the pioneer businessmen of Renwick, coming here shortly after the laying of the Chicago Northwestern Railroad line for Eagle Grove, north through this community.

He was united in marriage to Candace A. Parr of Eagle Grove, Iowa, January 1st, 1883, and to this union three children were born. Namely Murl B. and Carroll A. Richardson of Renwick and Mrs. Grace Graber of Des Moines.

Interested always in his business and church activities, and also many community affairs, his business relations with the town, and his association with his church, were his foremost interests in his life's work.

He was a member of the Renwick Baptist Church for many years and served in many offices of the church and Sunday School until his health forced him from active service. His interest and loyalty to his church and community continued, however, in his declining years. He was a leader in things that go for bettering the morals the community, and promoting its general welfare.

He was preceded in death by his wife on August 24, 1932, also by three sisters and two brothers. They were, Clara who died in infancy, Mrs. W. H. Bell and Mrs. William Snyder, and the two brothers, Fred and Herbert. He leaves to mourn his passing, three children, Murl B. and Carroll A. of Renwick, and Mrs. Grace Graber of Des Moines. One brother, Harry C. Richardson of Paterson, New Jersey, six grandchildren and eight great grandchildren.

Funeral services were conducted Sunday afternoon, Sept. 20, at the Renwick Baptist Church at two o'clock with Rev. E. F. Thompson in charge. Hymns were sung by a quartet consisting of Mrs. Refine Rossman, Mrs. Will Fletcher, Miss Carolyn Kurfman, and Miss Dorothy Harris, accompanied at the piano by Miss Ona Marie Engstron.

Pallbearers were Omer Davis, Verni McPeak, George Latch, R. E. McGowan, Carl Kelling, and Ellis McCurry. Interment was at Goldfield cemetery. Arrangements were under the direction of the Beenen Funeral Service.

Among those from a distance attending the funeral were:

Mrs. Frank Melherek of Truman, Minn.; Mrs. Ray Lutz and Mrs. Thomas Tomlinson of Granada, Minn., Mrs. Vera Rankin, Mr. and Mrs. Dean Fogarty, Mrs. Fogarty, Mr. and Mrs. L. E. Graber and Joyce, Mr. and Mrs. E. G. Griebel, Mrs. Sidnney Paulson, Mr. and Mrs. Charles Nanman, and Mr. and Mrs. Clifford Fisher, all of Des Moines; Mrs. Stanley Jacobsen and son of Minneapolis, Minn.; and Mr. and Mrs. George Yeoman of Algona.

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OUR TRIBUTE

The passing of Mr. Richardson marks the end of one of Renwick's pioneer business men. In our few years acquaintance with Mr. Richardson we learned much about the town of Renwick and its growth. Before his illness, he was a frequent visitor at this office and offered many kind and encouraging words to us in re-establishing The Renwick Times.

Mr. Richardson had a personal interest in The Times as he was instrumental in getting the first paper started here many years ago. He would gather and write the news and make a trip by horse and buggy to Eagle Grove to have it printed.

Mr. Richardson was very community minded and commanded the respect of all who knew him. His memory will always remain in the minds of his many friends and acquaintances.

The Renwick Times -- Renwick, Iowa
September 24, 1953

Source: Bob Neely