My Genealogy Hound

ARTHUR E. RICHARDS is a son of the late Joshua Richards, of Royersford, Montgomery county. He was born in Minersville, Pennsylvania, December 4, 1870, and was educated in the schools in the vicinity.

After some time he entered the grocery store with his father, at William Penn, Schuylkill county, and remained there until his parents removed to Royersford, when he came with them and continued as an assistant to his father in the store. On the death of his father he entered into a partnership with his brother Harry D., and they conducted the store together until the death of the brother, when Mr. Richards engaged in business on his own account. He has since carried on the business at the old stand, having a commodious and well equipped place of business on Main street, which is well supplied with the best that can be procured for his customers.

In politics Mr. Richards is a Prohibitionist. He is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and attends the Methodist church, of which he is a trustee. He is an energetic and enterprising business man, and is thoroughly respected by all who know him, being an active, useful and valuable member of society.

Mr. Richards married, in 1897, Miss Ida Bowman, daughter of George W. Bowman, a banker of Royersford. Two children have been born of this marriage: George B. and Mary M. Richards.

Joshua Richards, father of Arthur E. Richards, was a native of Wales. After leaving school he engaged in the grocery business very successfully, remaining in that occupation for a time, and then deciding to emigrate to the United States. He located in the town of Minersville, and in other towns in Schuylkill county, Pennsylvania, engaged in a mercantile business, until 1887, when he took up his residence in Royersford, where he also conducted a grocery store for some time. His health failing, he went to California in the hope of restoration, and died there.

Joshua Richards was twice married. He married in Wales, Margaret Bowen, who died in Schuylkill county, Pennsylvania, October 25, 1880. The children of the couple were Julia, James B., Susan, Harry D., Arthur E., Sarah A., Mary E., and Lillian. The following of the children died in Royersford: Susan, Sarah A., Harry D. and Lillian. The remaining children are: James B., who conducts a dry goods store; Arthur E., hereinbefore fully mentioned; and Mary E., who is at home, with her mother, the second wife of Joshua Richards, and who was formerly Mrs. Ann Phillips, of Schuylkill county.