Biographical Sketch of

Charles Richards

Transcribed by Sandy Boudrou



Source: Portrait and Biographical Album of Green Lake, Marquette and Waushara Counties, Wisconsin, 
published 1890 by Acme Publishing Co., Chicago, Pages 519 - 520 


Charles Richards, the owner of Packwaukee Mill, which is located on Ox Creek, on section 17, in the town of Packwaukee, 
is numbered among the enterprising  business men of Marquette County, and has been engaged in his present line since 
1859.  The mill was erected for a general custom mill, but is now devoted to the manufacture of buckwheat flour for the 
Chicago market.  He, himself, raises a large amount of the buckwheat there ground, probably cultivating that grain to 
a larger extent than any other man in Wisconsin.  His average production is about five hundred bushels, and he also 
buys all that is raised within a radius of ten miles.  Each year he ships about one thousand barrels, his business 
now being numbered among the leading industries of the county.
 
Mr. Richards has passed his entire life in Wisconsin.  He was born in Dane County in 1845, and is a son of Robert 
Richards, one of the pioneers of the State.  His father was a native of England, but came to America in 1838, landing 
in New York City, where he became acquainted with the Hungarian Count, Hazanthy, a refugee from his native land, 
Poland.  Together they came to Dane County, Wis., and Mr. Richards remained in the employ of the Count during that 
gentleman's residence in Wisconsin.  In 1849 the Count started for California, and on the trip endured many hardships 
and privations, including the loss of their train, but at last he and his family reached their destination and for some 
time the Count was employed in the Government mint.  He finally went to Central America, where he unfortunately perished.
 
Robert Richards continued to make his home in the town of Roxbury, Dane County, until his death, which occurred in 1855. 
His wife still survives him, and makes her home with a son living in the town of Ft. Winnebago, Columbia County.  They 
were parents of three sons and a daughter who grew to mature years, and still survives; Robert, who for a number of 
years has been manager of the Kilbourn Mills of Kilbourn City; Charles, of this sketch; Carrie, wife of H. G. McIntyre 
of New London, Wis.; and Fred, of Columbia County.  Several years after the death of her husband Mrs. Richards became 
the wife of David Narracong, a miller, with whom her sons all learned the trade.
 
When only seventeen years of age Charles Richards, our subject, donned the blue and became a member of Company D, 4th 
Wisconsin Infantry.  The date of his enlistment was December, 1862, and he served until May, 1866, covering a period of 
almost four years.  He was in the army of Gen. Banks in the Division of the Gulf, and participated in all the engagements 
of that command, including the siege and capture of Port Hudson in June, 1863, where his regiment led the charge against 
the works.  Although so young, he was never known to shirk any task imposed upon him, but was always faithful to his duty 
and won the respect of his superior officers.
 
The excellent wife of Mr. Richards was in her maidenhood Miss Cora Tripp, daughter of Jonathan Tripp, one of the early 
settlers of Columbia County, Wis.  Their union has been blessed with three interesting children--Vernon, Mary and Pearl.

Mr. Richards has been very successful in his business undertakings, and by his own efforts has acquired his possessions.  
He has now been engaged in milling for ten years, and the article of flour which he places upon the market receives the 
praise of all his patrons.  In connection with his mill property he owns 160 acres of good land.

 




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