My Genealogy Hound

JOSEPH L. RICHARDS, Superintendent of the Zinc Collar Pad Manufacturing Company, at Buchanan, and President of the City Board, was born in Marietta, Washington County, Ohio, March 2, 1848. His father, George H., was born in Bristol, England, and when quite small emigrated thence to America in company with his father, George H. Richards, Sr., and the family located at Sing Sing, N. Y., where a permanent home was established. The father of our subject learned the trade of a blacksmith, and after locating in Ohio followed that occupation at Marietta. In 1855 he came to Berrien County, Mich., and settled in Buchanan Township, where he operated a farm. Later he sold the place and, moving into the village, retired from active business cares. His death occurred in 1888, when he was about seventy years old. He was a Democrat politically, and in his fraternal relations was a Mason and a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows.

The mother of our subject, Lucy W. (Record) Richards, was born and reared in Marietta, Ohio, and now resides in Buchanan. Of her union eight children were born, all of whom lived to mature years. Those living are: Sarah D., wife of R. Morris; Joseph L., of this sketch; Martha E., who married S. Barmore; Hattie, wife of W. S. Wells; Mary, Mrs. George Rogers, and George H., a resident of Minneapolis. Joseph L. was about seven years old when he accompanied his parents to Michigan, and his boyhood was principally passed on his father’s farm in Buchanan Township. After completing the studies usually taught in the district schools, he entered his father’s store as clerk, but his tastes not being in that direction, he soon sought more congenial employment. For a time he worked in a factory and afterward spent one year in Charlotte, Mich., and another twelve months in southern Ohio, in the oil regions.

In 1871 Mr. Richards went to Chicago, intending to carry on his studies at a commercial college, but his ambitions in that line were temporarily suspended by the great fire. Later he finished the course in Detroit. Upon the organization of the Buchanan Wagon Factory he was elected Secretary, and afterward was chosen General Superintendent of the enterprise, holding the position about four years. Upon the inception of the Zinc Collar Pad Company he was one of the prime factors and leading men in the movement, and his interest in its success has been unflagging. During the administration of President Cleveland, he was appointed Postmaster at Buchanan, and discharged the duties connected with that position for two years, when the demands of his business, as well as a dislike for the place itself, induced him to tender his resignation.

During the latter part of 1887 Mr. Richards took charge of the Kansas City territory in the interests of the Minneapolis Harvester Works. He had held the position only about nine weeks when his father was taken ill, and upon his death, in 1888, our subject assumed the management of the present enterprise, which he has since conducted. He carries on an extensive business throughout the entire continent, including Portland, Ore., and New York City, as well as several foreign cities. Politically he is a Democrat, He has served as Township Trustee, Village Clerk, and as member of the City Council. In 1893 he was elected President of the Village Board, and in that honored place serves with the highest zeal and devoted loyalty. He is a Mason and belongs to Buchanan Lodge No. 68, and Niles Commandery No. 12.

Mr. Richards undoubtedly owes much of his success to the influence of his wife, a lady of refinement and sound common-sense. He was married in Buchanan in 1873 to Miss Mina C., daughter of George and Mina C. Smith. Three children have blessed this union, their names being Daisy, George H. and Joseph L.