Tuolumne
County
Biographies
WILLIAM J. RICHARDS
William J. Richards, who is now
serving as the treasurer of Tuolumne County, was born in the same county which
is still his home, his birth having occurred in Springfield, in 1860. The family is of English lineage. His father, John Richards, was born in
Camborne, Cornwall, England, and was there reared and educated and learned the
blacksmith’s trade. In 1847 he came to
America, locating in Chicago, and in 1851 he made his way direct to Sonora,
California, where for a time he was in the shops of Major Ball. Subsequently he removed to Springfield and
erected a shop of his own, carrying on business there with success until 1871,
when he took up his abode in Columbia, carrying on blacksmithing until his
retirement from active business life. In
August, 1858, he married in San Francisco, Miss Jane Polk, a native of
Devonshire, England. They had known each
other from childhood in the native country, and now their destinies were united
by ceremony. Four children were born
unto them in Tuolumne County, namely: W.
J., Frederick O., Jessie A. (the wife of Dr. W. W. Eastman) and Albert A. The father was a good mechanic and an
industrious man. He and his family are
highly respected in the county in which they have so long resided and in which
their children were all born and educated.
William J. Richards was the eldest
child and in the public schools of Springfield and Columbia he acquired his
education. He afterward mastered the
blacksmith’s trade, working with his father.
Subsequently he was deputy postmaster for eight years in Sonora, filling
the office with credit to himself and to the
satisfaction of all concerned. He has
always been a Republican in his political affiliations and in 1898 was
nominated by his party for the important office of county treasurer. Notwithstanding that Tuolumne County is Democratic, he was elected to the office by an encouraging
majority, showing that he is popular in his native county. His fellow townsmen recognize his ability and
give their support, and as in the post office, he is proving an obliging,
efficient and capable officer.
In February, 1896, Mr. Richards was
united in marriage to Miss May Wight, also a native of Springfield. They were friends from childhood and on the
date mentioned their destinies were united by the marriage ceremony. One bright little daughter has come to bless
their union, whom they have named Ada Mae. They have a beautiful cottage in Sonora and
are among the most highly respected people there, enjoying the warm regard of a
large circle of friends, many of whom have known them from their early
childhood days. Mr. Richards is a
citizen of sterling worth. No trust
reposed in him has ever been betrayed in the slightest degree, and his fidelity
to the public trust is never questioned.
Transcribed by
Gerald Iaquinta.
Source:
“A Volume of Memoirs and Genealogy of Representative Citizens of Northern
California”, Pages 572-573. Chicago Standard Genealogical Publishing Co. 1901.
© 2010
Gerald Iaquinta.