My Genealogy Hound

W. H. Richards (deceased). Of that sturdy and independent class, the farmers of Arkansas, none were possessed of more genuine merit and a stronger character than he whose name stands at the head of this sketch. His birth occurred in Person County, N. C, February 16, 1841, and in 1871 he was married to Mrs. Harriet (Hunter) Tipton, the widow of J. A. Tipton. Moving with her shortly after to Prairie County, Ark., he purchased in Center Township 100 acres of land which he commenced immediately to improve, and soon had seventy acres under cultivation. He took an active interest in all affairs pertaining to the welfare of the county and in his political views was a Democrat. He was also a patron of education and his death, which occurred in Prairie County, January 25, 1888, was deeply lamented by all. Mrs. Richards was born in the State of Mississippi in 1835, and was there married in 1852 to William B. Higginbottom, born September 15, 1829, in Tuscaloosa County, Ala., by whom she became the mother of four children: John B. (a farmer), E. E., S. L. and Mary A. (deceased). Mr. Higginbottom removed to Clark County, Ark., in 1860, and there died in 1863, his widow afterward being united in marriage to J. A. Tipton, by whom she became the mother of one son: John. She was again left a widow in 1871 and the following year married Mr. Richards, as above stated. She was born in Mississippi in 1835, and was one of a family of twelve children born to George W. and Harriet (Bonds) Hunter, natives of North Carolina, who were married in Mississippi and spent their days in the last-named State. Mr. and Mrs. Richards became the parents of three children: Jennie E., Robert L. and Florence Idella.