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         HUMPHREY RICHARDS, a leading farmer of Louisa County, Iowa, residing on section 20, Columbus City Township, was born in Wales, in 1850, and his parents, Lewis and Catherine (Jenkins) Richards, were also natives of the same country. The father was a farmer by occupation, and his death occurred in Wales in 1863. His wife had died the previous year, and they were both members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Ten children had been born unto them, seven of whom grew to manhood and womanhood: David, who is now living near Council Bluffs, Iowa; John, a mechanic, residing in Higbee, Mo.; Humphrey, the third in order of birth; Mary Ann, wife of William Trentham, whose home is in London, England; Catherine, also living in London; Lewis, a resident of Louisa County, Iowa; and Richard.

Our subject was reared upon his father’s farm, and on attaining his majority determined to make his home in the New World, so in the spring of 1871 he crossed the Atlantic, and landed in America. Going to Watertown, Wis., he there resided until the following autumn, when he removed to Perlee, Iowa, where he engaged in mining for two years. Going to Des Moines, he was there engaged in the same line of business for two years, after which he came to Louisa County, locating in Columbus City Township. His first purchase of land consisted of eighty-seven acres on section 20, which is still his home, though he has subsequently added to the original farm until it now comprises 180 acres.

In the spring of 1876 Mr. Richards was united in marriage with Miss Mary Williams, who was born in Columbus City Township, Louisa County, in 1857, and is a daughter of Richard Williams, a native of Wales. Their union has been blessed with an interesting family of four children—Catherine Ann, Celia Jane, Amy and David John. Mr. and Mrs. Richards are members of the Welsh Calvinistic Church. He has served both as School Director and Road Supervisor in his township, and in political sentiment is a Republican. Mr. Richards is one of the leading men in Columbus City Township, and takes an active part in the promotion of any cause for the public good. It was through his influence that the present town of Clifton was located. He corresponded with the railroad officials, inducing them to locate a station at that place, was instrumental in establishing the post-office in that town, and served as its first Postmaster. His influence is always given toward the right, and he is a liberal contributor to the church and the school. As a farmer, he is systematic and progressive, and everything about the place shows him to be a man of thrift and enterprise. As a neighbor and citizen, he is held in high esteem throughout the community, and we are pleased to record his sketch among others of Louisa County’s honored citizens.