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George A. Richmond

The subject of this sketch was born in Oswego, New York, January 24, 1844, and is a son of Stephen and Sylvia Richmond, both natives of the Empire state. Stephen Richmond, whose birth occurred on June 3, 1807, was twice married, his first wife bearing him three children, of whom Lorenzo Richmond is now a well known resident of Waucoma, Iowa. The second marriage was solemnized September 15, 1839, with Sylvia Stephens, who was born May 14, 1812, and departed this life may 12, 1885, her husband dying March 23, 1878. Stephen and Sylvia Richmond had nine children, seven of whom grew to maturity, viz.: Lorinda Madora, who married John Sears, of Wisconsin, and who died three years ago in Iowa; George A., of this sketch; Garrett Uriah; Harriet; Sylvia; Ann Jennette, who married Jacob Craft and lives near Nevada, Missouri, where her sister, Mrs. Smith, also resides. Garrett W., who died during the war, and Harriet M., who lives in Sheboygan, Wisconsin, were twins. Albert P. Richmond was born May 24, 1855, came to Iowa with the family and for a number of years has been a partner of the subject in farming and stock raising.

In 1845, when about one year old, George A. Richmond was taken to Wisconsin and for some time thereafter the family lived in the counties of Waukesha and Fond du Lac, that state, removing to the latter place when the subject was about nine years of age. He spent his boyhood at hard work in the woods, helping to clear a new farm and enjoying but limited educational advantages the meanwhile. In fact nearly all of his youth and young manhood were devoted to cutting timber, grubbing and the various other kinds of strenuous labor required to remove the forest growth and fit the soil for cultivation. After his father received an injury which practically disabled him, the care of the farm and support of the family fell to young George, who right manfully discharged the trust. By diligent and well directed effort he succeeded in clearing up about one hundred and forty acres, but desiring more land, which would not be so difficult to cultivate, the farm was sold in 1869 and the same year the family moved to Iowa and purchased land in Windsor township, Fayette county, about four and a half miles southwest of West Union, where the father’s death subsequently occurred.

After living on the above farm about twelve years, the subject and his brother, Albert D., purchased, in 1881, the farm in Eden township which they still own and which under their combined labor and management is now one of the finest country homes in the county of Fayette. The place, which contains two hundred and sixty-five acres, was purchased from the government about the year 1852 or 1853 by a Mr. Finch and originally consisted quite largely of timber, hickory predominating, the labor required to remove this and grub the land being very hard and exacting. When bought by the Richmond brothers only a small part was in cultivation, the house being a tumble-down log cabin and the few fences in poor repair. Owing to this indifferent condition the price asked was not large, ranging from five to fifteen dollars per acre, although land in the vicinity was then bringing from eighteen to twenty dollars per acre.

The place was considered a bargain and it was not long until a series of improvements were inaugurated which, when carried to completion, added greatly to the appearance and value of the farm, making it, as already indicated, among the best of Eden township, and second to few if any in the county. Over six thousand dollars have been invested in the improvements since the farm came into possession of the present owners. The dwelling, one of the finest in the county, is a beautifully modern edifice, heated by furnace and equipped with all the latest conveniences, including bath, cistern, etc., nothing being spared to make it comfortable and attractive to the end that it may prove a home in the true sense of the term and the one spot dearer than all others to the inmates.

The Richmond brothers carry on general farming quite extensively, much of the farm consisting of fine bottom land especially adapted to agriculture. They also devote considerable attention to stock raising, besides conducting a very successful dairy business, keeping from thirty to thirty-five cows, selected with special reference to their value as milkers and meeting with ready sale for the entire product. George A. Richmond has never assumed the duties and responsibilities of matrimony, but his brother, Albert D., on December 25, 1889, was united in marriage with Nellie A. LUSH, daughter of Oscar T. and Cornelia (Murphy) Lush, then of Eden township, but now living in North Dakota. Mrs. Richmond was born in Butler county, Iowa, but came to Eden township with her parents when fifteen years old and grew to maturity on a farm near Waucoma. She taught school for some years in the county, receiving her certificate from Col. G.W. Fitch and while thus engaged earned a creditable reputation for her success with children and young people. Mr. and Mrs. Richmond are the parents of children as follows: Nellie Eleanora, who died at the early age of two years; Florence May, born September 13, 1892, was educated in the Waucoma high school and is now a student of music in Upper Iowa University; Ralph A., born September 24, 1894, is pursuing his studies in the high school at Waucoma, and Earl V., whose birth occurred January 21, 1898, departed this life on the 8th of March, 1903. In addition to their own offspring, Mr. and Mrs. Richmond have taken into their home an eight-year-old girl, Zinita Kate Hancock, whose mother died recently and whom they are rearing with the same tender care as if she were of their own flesh and blood.

The Richmond brothers have mutual interests and their relations have always been agreeable and harmonious. They are excellent farmers and enterprising, wide-awake citizens, interested in whatever tends to the advancement of the community and the welfare of their fellow men. They enjoyed to a marked degree the confidence of all with whom they are associated, their lives being above reproach and nothing savoring in the least of dishonor has ever attached to their characters or reputation.

~transcribed for the Fayette County IAGenWeb Project by Claudia Meyer