My Genealogy Hound

JOHN E. RICHARDSON. The position of prominence held by Mr. Richardson among the attorneys of Seneca County is due to his thorough knowledge of every department of the law, and to his energetic disposition, which has permitted him to stop at nothing short of success. The village of Waterloo has been his life-long home, and here he was born September 10, 1846. His father, James K., was one of the early settlers of this part of the state, and established his home in West Burlington, Otsego County, in 1817. An attorney by profession, he was a man respected in every walk of life — a fact that was shown by his selection for the serious and responsible position of County Judge, he being among the very first to be chosen for office on the organization of the county.

For a time in early life, James K. Richardson taught school in this county, and also in Sodus, Wayne County. In politics he was an old-line Whig, and when the time came for the organization of the Republican party he was actively associated with some of the able men of the state in its formation. Under Isaac Fuller, Clerk, he served as Deputy County Clerk, and he also held the position of District Attorney. For many years he made his home in Waterloo, and here he died in 1875, full of years and ripe with honors. His wife, Mabel, was a daughter of Quartus and Nancy Knight, and came to this village with them at the age of seven years. She died here in May, 1888, at the age of seventy-five.

The subject of this sketch is the third among five children who attained mature years, he having two sisters and two brothers. One brother, Charles E., formerly a resident of Waterloo, died here in 1892. Mr. Richardson attended the common school in this village. Under Judge Sterling G. Hadley he gained the rudiments of his legal education, and afterward attended the law school at Albany, graduating in 1868. He then returned to Waterloo, and began the practice of law. For more than a quarter of a century he has closely applied himself to his profession, the only absence he has had being when he was sick for eighteen months.

To Mr. Richardson has come a fair share of the honors of office and the favors of his fellow-citizens. In 1870 he was elected Justice of the Peace, in 1876 Police Justice, in 1878 became Supervisor of the town of Waterloo (which position he held four years), and in 1886-87 was Trustee of the Second Ward. November 5, 1895, he was honored by being elected to the office of County Judge and Surrogate in and for Seneca County In politics he has not been closely confined to party, but feels himself free to act and vote for the best interests of the whole country. Yet he has bound himself to the hearts of his own people, so that men of every shade of opinion do not hesitate to vote for him and put him forward as a representative man.

September 7, 1871, Mr. Richardson married Miss Allena Chamberlin, who died, leaving one son, James. His second wife was Alice, daughter of William B. Mickley. In church matters he has been for some years an active and consistent member of the Presbyterian Church.