Harrison County Iowa Genealogy

HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY, IOWA, 1891
BIOGRAPHIES
Page 819
PHILO M. RICHARDSON

Philo M. RICHARDSON, a farmer living on section 19, of Magnolia Township, came to Harrison County, in the spring of 1874, and went to work by the month on the farm during the summer season and teaching in the winter. After two years he rented the farm he now occupies, which a year later was given to his wife by her parents. When they first went to this place there was a combined log and frome house, which was in a dilapidated state and there was no barn, simply straw sheds. Mr. Richardson built a new fram house 20x24 feet, one story and a half high, the same being completed in 1880. In 1887 and 1888 he built a farn 30x84 feet.

Our subject was born in Tuscarawas County, Ohio, October 19, 1848, and in 1853 his parents went to Defiance County and were there until 1865, when they removed to St Joseph County, Mich., and our subject remained there with his parents until the spring of 1872, when he entered the Michigan Agricultural College, and two years later came to this county.

Our subject was united in marriage in Magnolia Township, March 17, 1877, to Miss Mary E. DOWNS, and by this marriage two children were born, one who died in infancy, and Ralph W.. Mary E. (Downs) Richardson , was born in Franklin County, VT., November 25, 1840, and came with her parents to Harrison County, Iowa, in 1858. Her father, George G. DOWNS, was born in Bennington, VT., February 22, 1812, and when twelve years of age his parents removed to Franklin County, VT., where he remained until 1858, and then came to Harrison County where he died December 31, 1881. His wife, Betsy (RICE) DOWNS, was born in Franklin County, VT, December 12, 1814, and died in Harrison County, January 1, 1879. They were the parents of two children. In their religious faith they were identified with the Methodist Episcopal Church.

Our subject's father, James S. RICHARDSON, was born in Ohio, October 20, 1827, and there remained until 1853, when he moved to Defiance County and in 1865 to St. Joseph County, Mich., but now lives in St.Joseph County, Ind. The mother, Mary M (BOWDER) RICHARDSON, was born in the Buckeye State, February 18, 1829, and remained there until the date of her marriage. They were the parents of six children, our subject being the eldest. The parents were both members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

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