George Ellery Richardson (1850 - 1917)

Born 17 May 1850 in Springfield, Hampden, Massachusetts

Ancestors

Husband of Ella Irene (Flaugher) Richardson — married 15 Feb 1882 in Marengo, Iowa, Iowa

Descendants

Died 22 Sep 1917 at age 67 in Le Mars, Plymouth, Iowa

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Biography

George Ellery Richardson was born on May 17, 1850 in Springfield, Massachusetts to Joshua Richardson and Sarah Hale..^[1]

When he was young, his parents moved to Batavia, Illinois where his father engaged in the manufacture of cars. The family then moved to Independence, Iowa and then to Iowa Falls where George received his education.^[2]

After school, George went to Marengo, Iowa where he got a job working in the produce business.^[3]

In 1878, he settled in Le Mars, working in the real estate business with Clay Bros. It wasn't long before he set himself up as a real estate developer and assisted in the establishment of Western Union College. He also kept an office in Hallock, Minnesota where he did extensive land business as well.^[4]

George married^[5] Ella Flaugher on Feb. 15, 1882 in Marengo, Iowa. They became the parents of one daughter, Lucille.^[6]

Sources

• Iowa, Marriages, 1809-1992, index, FamilySearch George E. Richardson and Ella Flaugher, 15 Feb 1882; citing Iowa, Iowa, reference 2:3FLS1NG; FHL microfilm 0988203.

• Iowa, County Births, 1880-1935, index, FamilySearch Geo. E. Richardson in entry for Lucile Merl Richardson, 1886.

• Iowa State Census, 1895, index and images, FamilySearch George E Richardson, Plymouth, Iowa, United States; citing p. , 1895, State Historical Society, Des Moines; FHL microfilm 1022093.

• United States Census, 1900, index and images, FamilySearch Geo E Richardson, Le Mans Township, Plymouth, Iowa, United States; citing sheet 17B, family 360, NARA microfilm publication T623, National Archives and Records Administration, Washington, D.C.; FHL microfilm 1240453.

• Iowa, County Marriages, 1838-1934, index, FamilySearch George E. Richardson in entry for William Ansley Coad and Lucile Merle Richardson, 26 May 1908; citing Le Mars, Plymouth, Iowa, United States, county courthouses, Iowa.

• Newspaper; LeMars Sentinel; Sep. 25, 1917; Obituary; George E. Richardson; transcribed by Linda Ziemann, volunteer.

• Iowa Gravestone Project; George E. Richardson

• Find A Grave

Footnotes

1. ↑ Newspaper; LeMars Sentinel; Sep. 25, 1917; Obituary
2. ↑ Newspaper; LeMars Sentinel; Sep. 25, 1917; Obituary; AFTER LONG ILLNESS GEORGE E. RICHARDSON, LEMARS PIONEER, PASSES AWAY PROMINENT IN BUSINESS CIRCLES; Came Here When a Young Man and Launched Business Career Which Proved Most Successful-Had Been Ill For a Year and Half. George Richardson, for more than thirty years a leading citizen of Le Mars and widely known in Northwestern Iowa and Minnesota, died at his home on West Sixth street on Friday night, shortly before midnight, following a lingering illness due to pernicious anemia. The end came peacefully. Mr. Richardson, who lived an active and useful life, was taken sick about a year and a half ago and although at times he was apparently better, never regained his former health. Mr. and Mrs. Richardson returned a week prior to his death from Gull Lake, Minn., where they went for a change and outing. Mr. Richardson feeling better and stronger when they went north. Friends thought that his health was improving of late and the news of his death came as a distinct shock to many of them and to the community at large. Mr. Richardson was a man of strong personality, virile, vigorous and resourceful. He was gifted by nature and a fine physician and was always full of optimism and bubbling with cheerfulness. Of a sanguine turn of mind, he inspired others with cheerfulness and in his younger days was the life and soul of any gathering in which he chanced to take part or be present. His name associated with several others, some of whom have gone and some of whom are still here, will always be inseparably associated with the growth and upbuilding of Le Mars. In earlier days he was in the van when the subject of public improvements was broached and was one of the men who were successful in bringing Western Union college to this town. As a young man, he grasped the opportunities presented in northwestern Iowa and as a real estate man boomed land in this section, and was instrumental in inducing many to settle on the fertile prairies. In later years he conducted an extensive land business at Hallock, Minn., dividing his time between the Le Mars and Minnesota offices. He came to Le Mars in the heyday of his youth and vigor and without monetary capital, but gifted with determination and a desire to work, made a success of life and accumulated a fine fortune, being rated one of the wealthiest men in the community. George Ellery Richardson was born at Springfield, Mass., on May 17, 1850. When he was three years old his parents, Joshua and Sarah Hale Richardson, and an uncle, Benjamin Ellery Hale, moved west, locating at Batavia, Illinois, where they engaged in the manufacture of cars. The senior Richardson then moved to Independence, Iowa, and to Iowa Falls in 1861, where George Richardson received his early training and attended school. The Richardson sawmill and the old swimming hole nearby are historic spots. George Richardson was brought up in the school of hard knocks, was subjected to several training and early was taught to work hard and also the value of the dollar. It is related by boyhood friends that when he could get away from his tasks and join in games and sports, he was the merriest of the crowd and the keenest at baseball. In swimming, hunting or other sports, and was always in the mood for pranks and jokes. After completing his school ____, he went to Marengo, where he engaged in the produce business. In 1878 he came to Le Mars and engaged in the land business with Clay Bros. A few years later he embarked in business on his own account and was soon marked as one of the successful men of the community. He was united in marriage at Marengo, Iowa, on February 16, 1883, with Miss Flaugher. To their union one daughter, Lucille, was born. She is now the wife of W.A. Coad, of Hull, Iowa, and they have three children. Mr. Richardson is also survived by one sister, Mrs. L.D. Clay, of Iowa Falls. His mother died recently at the age of ninety years. A few years ago Mr. and Mrs. Richardson built one of the finest homes in Le Mars one the place on West Sixth street, where they have lived for many years. The home life of Mr. Richardson was ideal. He was devoted to his wife and daughter and his little grandchildren. The grandchildren he always wanted around him in the closing years of his life. Mr. Richardson, always an ardent sportsman, taking delight in shooting and fishing and other manly sports. He made a number of staunch friends during his lifetime and many are the regrets heard on the news of his death. The funeral was held yesterday afternoon at the home on West Sixth street and was largely attended. Rev. J. J. Steele, of the First Congregational church, of which the deceased was a member, officiated at the services. The pallbearers were Geo. McLain, Nic Hentges, E.A. Dalton, A.J. Bowers, H.S. Martin and H. Atwood. Among the out-of-town relatives and friends at the funeral were Mrs. L.D. Clay and Mrs. Coon of Iowa Falls; Ed Clay of Omaha; John Kain, of Breckenridge, Minn.
3. ↑ Newspaper; LeMars Sentinel; Sep. 25, 1917; Obituary
4. ↑ Newspaper; LeMars Sentinel; Sep. 25, 1917; Obituary
5. ↑ Iowa, Marriages, 1809-1992, index, FamilySearch George E. Richardson and Ella Flaugher, 15 Feb 1882; citing Iowa, Iowa, reference 2:3FLS1NG; FHL microfilm 0988203.
6. ↑ Newspaper; LeMars Sentinel; Sep. 25, 1917; Obituary