JAMES H. RICHMAN
James
H. Richman, who is one of the foremost agriculturists of the
township which was named in honor of his father, who was the
second oldest settler in these parts, is owner of three
hundred and eighty-eight acres of valuable land, all under
cultivation and highly improved, located on sections 7 and 8,
Richman township. He
was born in Greenbrier county, Virginia, now Summers county,
West Virginia, April 1, 1844, and in 1850 came with his
parents to Richman township, Wayne county, becoming one of the
early pioneers of this section in which he has followed
agricultural pursuits for over sixty years. He is a son of
Marshall H. and Mary Jane (Guinn) Richman, natives of West
Virginia, both of whom passed away in this township. More extended
mention of them is made in connection with the sketch of Abram
Elmore Richman. In
their family were fourteen children of whom our subject was
the second in order of birth.
When
six years old James H. Richman came with his parents to Wayne
county and here he spent his boyhood amid the primitive
pioneer conditions of the day, early helping his father in the
cultivation of his farm and learning valuable lessons in the
school of actual experience.
In the acquirement of an education he attended such
schools as existed in the neighborhood but his advantages in
this direction were naturally of a limited order. Remaining at home,
he was married in 1869 in Wayne county, Iowa, to Miss Anna
Newell, a native of England, who was born February 12, 1844,
and crossed the ocean accompanied by her grandparents. Her parents
followed her some time later to this country. The father, Thomas
Newell, was a native of England and passed away in Illinois,
and her mother, Mary (Barber) Newell, was also born in the
former country and died in northern Iowa. In their family
were three children: Mrs.
James H. Richman; Augusta, who died at the age of twenty-four
years; and William D., who resides in Linn county, Iowa. All of them were
born in England but were reared and educated in America. Mr. and Mrs.
Richman are the parents of seven children: Mrs. Augusta Baker,
who was born Mary 18, 1870, and is the wife of the postmaster
of LeRoy, Iowa; Mrs. Elsie Sullivan, who was born March 7,
1872, and is residing near that city; Florence, who died at
the age of five months; Mrs. Ella Barnett, who was born
February 3, 1876, and lives in LeRoy; W. A., whose birth
occurred on the 29th of March, 1879, and who is
assisting his father in the care of his large farm in Richman
township; James E., born April 22, 1881, who resides in this
township; and Mrs. Jennie Tresler, born April 13, 1884, whose
home is in Richman township.
All of these children were born on the home farm where
the parents now reside and there were reared and educated.
Mr. Richman owns three hundred and eighty-eight acres of the best land in this section and in the course of a long career has placed thereupon a number of modern improvements which have really enhanced its value. He follows general farming and employs modern and up-to-date methods and ideas in the pursuance of his labors, gaining highly gratifying results by his circumspection, industry and energy. The residence which he has erected is comfortably and well furnished and there Mr. and Mrs. Richman extend a hospitable welcome to their many friends. The political affiliation of Mr. Richman is with the democratic party, the principles of which he believes are most conducive to good government, and although he has never aspired to public office he is serving as school director of his district, being induced to accept that office on account of the warm interest which he feels in the subject of education. A member of one of the oldest pioneer families, he has attained remarkable success along agricultural lines and while his labors have resulted in individual prosperity they have been a vital force in general advancement and in making this section one of the richest agricultural districts of the middle west of the United States. Mr. Richman, although nearing his seventieth birthday, is still active in the management of his extensive interests and continues to lead a busy and useful life. His industry and energy have found substantial reward and he receives the confidence and high esteem of all who know him.