ABRAM ELMORE RICHMAN

 

     Abram Elmore Richman is the owner of one of the choice and well improved farms of section 5, Richman township, which was named in honor of his father, who was the second settler in this county and who has seen the entire development of this part of the county and state from primitive conditions to its present prosperity.

     Mr. Richman was born on this father’s farm in Richman township, Wayne county, Iowa, April 5, 1858, and grew to manhood in this locality where he has always followed farming and stock-raising, having become one of the substantial men of this section in those pursuits.  His parents were Marshall H. and Mary Jane (Guinn) Richman, the former a native of Greenbrier county, Virginia, now Summers county, West Virginia, born September 11, 1820, and the latter in the same county, born February 20, 1823.  Both passed away in Richman township, this county, the father on April 9, 1899, and the mother on January 31, 1906.  They were the second settlers in this township, which was named in their honor, and to which they came from their native county in 1850 by way of the Ohio river to St. Louis and thence by the Mississippi to Keokuk and by ox team to Chillicothe, near the present site of Ottumwa, where they planted and harvested a crop.  After gathering it they came to Richman township and settled there and this has been the family home ever since.  At the time of their arrival it was a broad stretch of prairie and the nearest trading posts were Eddyville and Ottumwa.  This was the time when the Mormons were driven from Nauvoo, Illinois, and went on their way seeking a new home in the far west.  One band of them would plant a crop, the next would care for it and the third would harvest it.  The Richman home was the only one on the prairie at that time and became headquarters for the prospective settlers besides being a place for the feeding and caring for the stage horses, and a house where the stage drivers and passengers also could receive a hospitable welcome.  Mr. and Mrs. Richman were the parents of fourteen children, namely:  Margaret, born in Virginia, October 29, 1842, who died March 4, 1849; James H., born April 1, 1844, of whom more extended mention is made on another page of this work; Samuel M., born July 20, 1845, who resides in Richman township; Oliver, who was born March 18, 1847, and died April 11, 1854; Ephraim, born November 18, 1848, whose death occurred February 20, 1854; William, who was born August 18, 1850, and died February 23, 1854; Enos, born August 23, 1852, the first white child born in Richman township, who now resides at Huntley, Nebraska; Charles, who was born December 23, 1854, and who passed away two days later; John M., born January 23, 1856, who makes his home in Richman township; Abram E., of this review; Mrs. Sarah E. Kyner, born November 2, 1859, who resides in Kansas; Thomas A., who was born November 23, 1861, and now lives in Harlan county, Nebraska; Mrs. Mary Finley, born September 15, 1863, whose home is in Kansas; and Mrs. Cynthia J. Barry, who was born September 19, 1865, and resides near Humeston, Iowa.

     Abram Elmore Richman, who has given all of his life to agricultural pursuits, owns two hundred and ninety acres of fertile land upon which he has placed a number of improvements which have greatly enhanced its value.  He has introduced every convenience upon the farm that money can secure and besides general farming gives special attention to stock-raising, specializing in Jersey hogs, while Mrs. Richman is greatly interested in poultry raising, having a choice flock of Barred Plymouth Rock chickens.  By his industry and energy Mr. Richman has attained a degree of prosperity which places him among the most substantial men of this locality and the success which has come to him has not only resulted in his own profit but has been the means of contributing to the general development of this section.

     On February 14, 1893, Mr. Richman was united in marriage to Miss Johanna Sullivan, who was born July 24, 1868.  She is a native of Ireland and came with her parents to America in 1872, when only four years of age, the family settling in Pennsylvania, where the father, Dennis S. Sullivan, followed railroading for three years, after which he removed to Corydon, Iowa, and thence to LeRoy, where he subsequently passed away at the age of seventy-two years.  The mother, Nora (Foley) Sullivan, was also a native of the land of Erin and is at present making her home with her children in this locality.  Mr. and Mrs. Sullivan were the parents of eleven children:  Mrs. Ella Wade, who lives in Pennsylvania; John, residing in LeRoy, Iowa; Dennis, who makes his home in that place; Mary, deceased; Mrs. Kate Smith, of Boise, Idaho; Mrs. Nora Young, also of that city; Mrs. Richman; Michael, residing near LeRoy; Maurice, who died in Ireland; James, of Los Angeles, California; and David, who passed away in Pennsylvania.  All but the two younger members of the family were born in Ireland, the others having been born in Waterford, Erie county, Pennsylvania.  The home of Mr. and Mrs. Richman is one of refinement and culture for both are fond of good literature, and while they did not enjoy all of the advantage of education in childhood they acquired wide and valuable experience in the school of life and as they are both studious of mind and fond of reading they are well informed upon all subjects of the present day.  Broad-minded, liberal and public-spirited, they are among the most popular people of the community.  Both have traveled extensively and have broadened their views upon life by this means.  While Mr. Richman has attained to well merited prosperity he has also been a force in general development and any public enterprise worthy of supports finds in him an ardent champion.

 

Return to biography list