Richardson, Amos

The following data is extracted from Merrimack and Sullivan Counties, New Hampshire Biographies.

Amos Richardson, an influential resident of Cornish, was born here, November 27, 1817, son of Amos and Sophia (Cummings) Richardson. He is a descendant of Dr. Amos Richardson, who was a physician of note in Pelham, N.H. Dr. Amos's son, Joseph, was grandfather of the subject of this sketch. Joseph's children were: Miriam, Joseph, David, Josiah, Sarah, Mercy, Rebecca, and Amos. Miriam, now deceased, was the wife of Joshua Wyman, of Pelham, and the mother of seven children; Joseph married Polly Hilliard, of Cornish, and had a family of twelve children; David, now deceased, married Sarah Ford, and was the father of seven children; Josiah, who was unmarried, is deceased; Sarah married John Huggins, and is now deceased; Mercy, who married Aaron Hibbard, had no children, and is now deceased; Rebecca, who never married, lived to be eighty-two years of age.

Amos Richardson, Sr., a native of Pelham, born in November, 1785, moved to Cornish with his parents when only four years of age. After finishing his education, which was obtained in the town schools, he went to Massachusetts; but after a while, at the urgent request of his parents, he came back to carry on the farm, the present homestead of his son. He was very prominent in the town, and was much interested in town affairs. He was Tax Collector for a number of years, also Selectman; and he was a candidate for the legislature. In politics he was a Federalist. Of a religious disposition, he was Deacon of the Baptist church for many years. He married Sophia Cummings, who bore him eight children-Sarah, Amos, Louisa, William, George, Cummings, Cordelia, and Charlotte. Sarah is the wife of the Rev. Jonathan Herrick, of Troy, N.H. Louisa is deceased. William served in the Civil War, and, while on his way home, died of sickness in New York City. George, Cordelia, and Cummings are also deceased. Cummings was in California when he died.

After receiving his early education in the schools of the town and in Kimball Academy, Amos Richardson, the subject of this sketch, studied in the medical department of Dartmouth College for about two years. Later he abandoned the study of medicine and began teaching. Afterward he went to Florida, and entered a mercantile business, remaining there for a number of years. From Florida he returned to the homestead on learning that his parents' health was failing, and he has resided Mr. Richardson at once took a prominent place among the citizens of his native town, and is still to be found at the front in all movements for progress or reform. He has been Town Treasurer of Cornish. His unquestionable integrity and many amiable qualities have gained for him not only a large circle of personal friends, but the confidence of the business community. He attends the Baptist church, and is an active Free Mason, an Odd Fellow, and a member of the grange.

Mr. Richardson has been twice married. His first wife, Salome Richardson, bore him two children-Sidney K. and Frank. The present Mrs. Richardson was before her marriage Sarah J. Hilliard. She is the mother of three children-Fred H., Flora, and Nellie. Sidney Richardson, born June 29, 1846, was educated in the town schools and at Kimball Academy. After leaving school he learned the machinist's trade at Lebanon, N.H., and worked at that until his health gave out. He then had charge of the toll bridge at Windsor, Vt., for four years. After that he bought the farm where he is now living. He was in the late war for two years; and, like so many of the brave men who risked their lives in defence of the Union, he came back with shattered health. For the past nine years he has been Tax Collector. He is a member of the Grand Army and the grange, and has held offices in these orders. He married Ella Sturtevant, and has two children-Henry and Charles. Henry, born September 19, 1873, at Brandon, Vt., was educated at Kimball Academy and in Dartmouth College. He is now a teacher of the high school at Walpole, N.H., and a very popular young man in that town. Charles, born May 9, 1886, is still in school. Frank, the second son of Mr. Amos Richardson, was in California for a number of years, and is now with his father carrying on the extensive farm. Fred H., another son, born October 1, 1859, married Gertrude Haven, and is one of the officials of the State Prison at Windsor, Vt. Flora, born in 1861, died in 1886. Nellie is the wife of Elmer E. York, a successful school teacher of Cornish.

Source: Merrimack and Sullivan Counties, New Hampshire Biographies

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