Yavapai County AZ Archives Biographies.....Richards, Hugo 1838 - living in 1896
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Joy Fisher sdgenweb@yahoo.com March 5, 2005, 3:25 pm

Author: McFarland & Poole

p. 469-470

  HON. HUGO RICHARDS. Characteristic of the American is the ability to change
the line of his business and achieve success in what he undertakes. Of the old
adage, "A rolling stone gathers no moss," the reverse may often be said to be
true if accompanied by the true spirit. Fortunate is he who can—when times are
troublous and circumstances hard—keep his eye fixed on the goal, and forge ahead
to grasp success as a reward for his striving. A gentleman, who, without
adventitious aid or accident of birth, has attained to wealth and distinction in
public affairs, is Hugo Richards, now president of the Bank of Arizona in
Prescott. He was born in St. Louis, Mo., November 6, 1838, to the marriage of
Hugh Richards and Mary Vanderberg, the former a native of Wales and the latter
of Indiana. Hugh Richards came to America at an early date in the present
century, and in the year 1820 located in St. Louis, Mo., where he followed the
trade of tobacconist until his death in 1838. To his marriage to Miss Vanderberg
was born a large family. In the Mound City young Hugo Richards was reared and
educated, first attending the public schools and later a private school. While
still but a boy he became bookkeeper for the firm of Thomas & Papin, wholesale
grocers, of St. Louis, with whom he remained for a few years. In 1860 he went to
Pike's Peak, Col., and later engaged in merchandising in Denver, Col., where he
remained during 1860 and '61. In 1863 he moved to Montana, and resided in
Virginia City, where he was engaged in mining for about a year. He returned to
Denver in about  1865, and there remained until 1868, when he went to
California. During the years 1867 and 1868 he was agent for an overland stage
line, before the Union Pacific Railroad was built, and was with Ben Holliday and
the Wells-Fargo Company. Later he went to California, and while there was in the
employ of Ben Holliday, of the North  Transportation Company, and was stationed
at San Francisco. In 1871 he made his way to Arizona as post trader for Camp
Verde Military Post, and remained there until 1872, when he sold out and has
since made his home in Prescott. He is one of its pioneers and has been
identified with the county's interests in more ways than one. Ever since his
residence in the Territory he has been actively engaged in mining, and now owns
valuable silver and gold mines. He is also largely interested in ranching,
owning a good cattle ranch on Dade Creek, Yavapai County, and has it stocked
with several thousand head. Mr. Richards also owns considerable town property,
consisting both of business blocks and residences. He was a member of the
Territorial Legislature in 1875 and again in 1877, and is a well known and
prominent man. Politically he is a staunch advocate of the principles of the
Democratic party. About the year 1879 Mr. Richards became a stockholder in the
Bank of Arizona at Prescott, and has now been its president for a number of
years. He is a prominent Mason, being a Knight Templar and a member of the
Mystic Shrine, and takes a deep interest in the workings of this order. In 1890
he was married to Miss Emma Towne, a most estimable lady and a native of New
Jersey, who presides over his fine home in Prescott.



Additional Comments:
From:

A Historical and Biographical Record of the Territory of Arizona
Published by
McFarland & Poole, Chicago, 1896


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