For
Muscatine County Iowa
1911
| Biographies For Muscatine County Iowa 1911 | |
Source: History of Muscatine County Iowa, Volume II, Biographical, 1911, page 725
WILLIAM C. RICHARDS. William C. Richards, deceased, was for many years an honored and respected citizen of Muscatine, where during the last fifteen years of his life he lived retired. His early home was on the other side of the Atlantic, for he was born in Saxony, Germany, on the 30th of October, 1840, and in that country his father spent his entire life, conducting a cabinet shop. He was a little lad of nine years when he came to the United States in company with his uncle, Charles Richards. Making their way direct to Muscatine, Iowa, he continued a resident of this city up to the time of his death, which occurred on the 16th of February, 1911.Mr. Richards began his education in the schools of his native land and after coming to this country attended school in Muscatine for many years. At an early age he entered the employ of Benjamin Hershey and was connected with the Hershey Lumber Company until that concern closed out its business fifteen years ago, after which he lived retired, enjoying the fruits of former toil in well earned ease.
During the dark days of the Civil war Mr. Richards manifested his loyalty to his adopted country by enlisting as a private October 14, 1861, and he remained in the service during the entire period of hostilities between the north and the south, taking part in many hotly contested engagements. He was honorably discharged December 31, 1863, but reenlisted and during his service was under the command of both Generals Grant and Sherman. He was with the latter commander on his famous march to the sea, being on the march for one year and three months and taking part in all of the engagements along the route. The wound he received at Shiloh probably hastened his death. In a scattering fire he was either struck in the head by a bullet or part of a shell, the scar of which he carried with him through life. At the time the military surgeons wished to remove him to a hospital for an operation but he desired to continue in the service and eluded the vigilance of the attendants and, pushing his way to the front, resumed his position on the firing line and continued throughout the war without ever being compelled to undergo treatment. He had barely attained his majority at that time.
In early manhood, Mr. Richards was united in marriage to Miss Mary Becke, a native of Muscatine and a daughter of Theodore Becke, who was likewise born in Germany and became an early settler of Muscatine. He was a mason by trade, working at that occupation throughout his active business career. He passed away in this city at the age of seventy-eight years, while his wife, Mrs. Mary Elizabeth Becke, was seventy-five years old when called to her final rest. They had the following children: Caroline, Theresa, Mary, Elizabeth, Kate, John, Clara and Theodore. Six children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Richards, two sons and four daughters, namely: Minnie, now the wife of W. H. McBride, of Muscatine; Adel, the wife of Dr. R. S. McNutt, also of Muscatine; Nellie, who married Sherwood Kerr and both are now deceased; Mrs. Ida Dolsen, of Davenport; and Lee L. and Clarence R., both of Muscatine.
In religious faith Mr. Richards was a Lutheran, while his widow is a communicant of the Catholic church. He was well known and highly esteemed in Muscatine, enjoying the warm regard and friendship of all with whom he came in contact. At one time he took quite an active and prominent part in public affairs, representing the second ward in the city council for eight consecutive years. He was a prominent member of the Grand Army post of Muscatine and also belonged to the Ancient Order of United Workmen, the Masonic fraternity, the Knights of Pythias and the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks.
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