My Genealogy Hound

Dr. J. V. Richardson, whose name is well known throughout Northeast Arkansas, was born in Spencer County, Ind., on the 8th of April, 1838. His parents were J. V. and Elizabeth (Everton) Richardson, of Kentucky and Indiana, respectively, who moved to Arkansas in 1844, and settled in Sharp County, where they lived until the year 1861. They then removed to Texas, but came back to Arkansas in 1866, and located in Fulton County, where the elder Richardson still resides at the age of eighty-six years, his wife dying about the year 1870. Dr. Richardson came to this State with his father when a boy of eight years, and remained with him until he had reached his maturity. He then commenced the study of medicine in Jackson and Lawrence Counties, under the guidance of the then celebrated Dr. Hatfield, and in 1800 first began practicing in Jackson County. In 1862 he enlisted in the Confederate army as a private, but was shortly afterward promoted, and sent out on detached duty. He visited his home again in 1863, and in the spring of the following year rejoined his company, and served until his surrender at Jacksonport, in June, 1865. The Doctor fought in the battles at Little Rock, Independence (Mo.), Kansas City, Big Blue, Boonsboro (Ark.), and in Price’s raids through Missouri. After the war was over he returned to Jackson County, and resumed his practice and farming until 1873, when he moved to Lawrence County, and located in the neighborhood of where he now resides. He continued in his profession up to 1879, when he built a store-room, and in 1880 began dealing in general merchandise. He has been very active in commercial life and farming since then, giving up his practice entirely, and has now built up a successful business, and is one of the leading merchants of that section. The Doctor was first married June 11, 1865, in Jackson County, to Miss Sarah A. Johnson, who died June 4, 1870. There were two children by this marriage: William D., who died in his twelfth year, and Mahala E., wife of William Beavers, of this county. He married his present wife in Jackson County, in 1875. The lady’s name was formerly Miss Elizabeth Brackenridge, a daughter of James Brackenridge, one of the pioneers of Jackson County. There are four children by this marriage: Ada; Gilbert, Aggie and May. Dr. Richardson is a member of Thornburg Lodge No. 371, A. F. & A. M., and is Master of his lodge. He is also a Royal Arch Mason, and a member of Walnut Ridge Chapter, and has represented his lodge in the Grand Lodge on several occasions. He has served as Worshipful Master for six or seven years, and has a lodge-room over his store-room.