My Genealogy Hound

JOSEPH RICHARDS, a prominent business man of Slatington, is one of the proprietors of the Carbon Slate Company, which is engaged in the mining and quarrying of slate. The concern has built up a business of large proportions, their sales being extensive in neighboring states.

The subject of this biography was born in Wales in 1848, and when a child of six years set sail with his parents for the New World. On their arrival in Pennsylvania they first located in Schuylkill County, and there our subject passed his youth. His father was George Richards, whose birth occurred in Wales, as did also that of his mother, whose maiden name was Margaret Edwards. The education of our subject was obtained in the common schools of Schuylkill County, and to his father he gave his assistance until reaching manhood.

On becoming twenty-one years of age, Joseph Richards went to Summit Hill, Carbon County, where he was employed as a clerk for five years, after which he formed a partnership with his father, and engaged in general merchandising, continuing in this line of business for the succeeding sixteen years. In 1890 our subject entered into partnership with Elias Owens and R. G. Pierce, under the name of the Carbon Slate Company. In addition to his interest in the latter business Mr. Richards also carried on a general store in Summit Hill. He sold his interest in the latter concern, however, in July, 1893, and since that time has devoted his entire attention to the successful management of the Carbon Slate Company. He is also a stockholder in the Franklin Slate Company.

In 1874 Joseph Richards was united in marriage with Miss Margaret Williams, of Carbon County, and of their union four sons have been born, and in order of birth are as follows: Josiah, David, Joseph and John. The parents are devoted members of the Baptist Church, in the work of which they take great interest. In February, 1888, Mr. Richards was elected Burgess of Summit Hill, Carbon County. He deposits his ballot for the men and measures of the Republican party, and is a loyal and patriotic citizen.