WI BIO - Waupaca Co - RICH, Truman

History of Northern Wisconsin. Chicago: Western Historical, 1881, vol II, p 
1086

Truman RICH, photographer, Waupaca [on the Wisconsin Central Railway line, 
Waupaca County, Wisconsin], was born 06 January 1833 in Montpelier 
[Washington County], Vermont, and was born and raised a farmer's son. He 
spent four years in New Hampshire, and came West in 1851. He first stopped 
in Winnebago County, Wisconsin, and in July 1852 settled as a farmer in 
Royalton, Waupaca County, Wisconsin, being one of the first to locate there.

Two years later [1854] he settled in the town of Waupaca, and lived there 
until September 1864, when he [Truman RICH] enlisted in the U. S. service. 
He was in the Army of the Tennessee, under A. J. SMITH. Mr. RICH received a 
gunshot wound at the decisive battle of Nashville. One of the large bones of 
the forearm was destroyed, and he was in the hospital for four months.

In 1865 Mr. RICH came to Waupaca, Wisconsin, and for three years was in the 
grocery business. He then began learning photography of H. J. PERKINS, and 
went into the business for himself at the City Gallery, which he still owns, 
though since 01 May 1880 he has occupied the spacious rooms of Mr. [H. J.] 
PERKINS, whom he bought out. Mr. RICH thus enjoys a monopoly of the 
photography business in Waupaca, and is fully competent to meet the wants of 
its citizens in this line. His copying in India ink, water colors, Berlin 
photos, etc., is done by the Auburn, New York Copying Company.

His [Truman RICH's] wife was Flora P. COLE, of Calais [County], Vermont. 
They [Truman and Flora P. (COLE) RICH] have lost one of their children, and 
have four living. Mr. RICH was for one term Under Sheriff of Waupaca County. 
He is a member of the Baptist Church, and of the Temple of Honor.

Submitted by Cathy Kubly