“The History of Jefferson County, Wisconsin”, published: Chicago:  
Western Historical Company.   1879.


JOHN RICHARDS, deceased; born in Hinsdale, Berkshire Co., Mass., 
April 13, 1806; he studied law with Edward F. Ensign, at Sheffield, and 
was admitted to the bar in Lenox, Mass., March 2, 1837; graduated from 
Williams College, and taught for a time in the Academy at South 
Egremont; on the day of Martin Van Buren’s inauguration as President, 
Mr. Richards started for the West and was among the pioneers of 
Jefferson Co.  He was the first District Attorney for the county, 
appointed by Gov. Dodge; afterward held the offices of Justice of the 
Peace, Supervisor, Mayor, etc.  He. was married, in Albany, N.Y., to 
Eliza Forbes, the ceremony being performed by Rev. Mr. Wickoff, in the 
Dutch Reformed Church; Mrs. Richards was born in North Brookfield, 
Mass., April 3, 1816, daughter of Moses Forbes, proprietor of the old 
stage line between Hartford and Albany.  Mr. Richards died in Fond du 
Lac in February, 1874; his widow and five children are living; the 
children are Anna M., now Mrs. George W. Thomas, of Beaver Dam; 
Moses F., of Nunda, Ill.; Alice M., now Mrs. Louis Cass Green, of 
Watertown; William Henry, residing at home with his mother in this 
city, and Charles D., Indian Agent at Fort Peek, M. T.  Those who have 
died are as follows:  Harriet Eliza, died June 9, 1854, aged 11 years; 
Frances Emma, died March 7, 1853, aged 2 years, and Irene, died 
September 19, 1856, at the age of 3 years.


Submitted by:  Linda Pingel  (LPingel@worldnet.att.net)