My Genealogy Hound

RICHARD RICHARDS, the subject of this sketch, was born in County Wexford, Ireland, January 27, 1834. He enjoyed only such educational advantages as the common schools of Ireland afforded in that day, and, at the age of seventeen enlisted, at the city of Dublin, September, 1852, in the Thirty-fourth regiment infantry of the British army, its depot then being at Aberdeen, Scotland, but was afterwards transferred to the Thirty-ninth regiment, then in Cork, Ireland, and at that time preparing for the Crimean war, and it was his unstinted loyalty to the British flag that prompted young Richards to enlist. Some time was spent in drilling, then the Thirty-fourth depot was sent to Fort George, in the Highlands of Scotland. From this point the depot proceeded to Manchester to meet the troops of the Thirty-fourth regiment from India. After considerable preliminary maneuvering, the Thirty-ninth regiment proceeded to Gibralter, where, after nine months’ delay, the army sailed for the seat of war. Mr. Richards is familiar with every detail of the siege of Sebastopol, having been an active participant in that famous battle. He received an honorable discharge in Canada, April, 1857, and was also presented with a silver medal, which he now has, for his services rendered at the siege of Sebastopol. His term of service extended from September, 1852, to April, 1857.

After his discharge from the army, Mr. Richards located near Brockville, in upper Canada, and engaged in farming until the year 1880, in the spring of which year he came to York county, Nebr., and farmed there two years. His next move was to Phelps county, where he arrived in the spring of 1882. He purchased one-hundred and sixty acres of railroad land in Williamsburg township, where he has since lived. At that time the country thereabout was new and sparsely settled, consequently the first settlers were subjected to all the inconveniences incident to the first settlement of any new country.

Mr. Richards has twice married. His first wife was Sarah M. Edwards, whom he married March 4, 1859, and by whom he had eight children, namely — Charles F., born July 13, 1860; Edward T., born September 24, 1861; Harriet, born December 30, 1862; William C., born February 5, 1864; Margaret, born December 13, 1867; Joseph, born April 25, 1871; Richard, born March 4, 1873, and Sarah L., born October 16, 1874. His wife died in 1875. His second marriage was with Jane E. Ross, on August 24, 1875. She is a native of Canada, born October 9, 1838, and is of Irish descent. To this union has been born one child, John Albert, December 18, 1876.

Mr. Richards has seen some military service since coming to Nebraska. He joined the state militia soon after coming to the state, and as a member of that body, was called to Omaha to put down the great Burlington strike, and thus knows what it is to do military service under the stars and stripes. Mr. Richards has one hundred and sixty acres of improved land and he is numbered among the enterprising farmers of his vicinity. While a resident of Canada he belonged to the conservative party, and since his residence in the United States has always remained strictly independent, so far as politics is concerned. He believes in elevating none but good, capable men to, public trusts, and he supports only such no matter from what political party they may come. He is a well-posted man, and can talk intelligently upon all the leading issues of the day. He and his wife are both zealous Presbyterians.