Page County IA Archives Obituaries.....Richardson, G. William 1936 ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/ia/iafiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Nettie Mae Lucas IAGWArchives@aol.com May 25, 2005, 12:09 am Clarinda News G. William Richardson "Business Pioneer of Clarinda" November 30, 1856 - July 14, 1936 G. William Richardson, Clarinda's oldest business man and the last of a group who did so much to build up local institutions and boundaries, is again being paid high tribute this Thursday afternoon following his death early Tuesday morning. Funeral services are being held at 5 o'clock Thursday afternoon at the Richardson home on north 18th street. Dr. A. B. Thutt will be in charge and burial in the Clarinda cemetery, where his wife was laid to rest two and a half years ago. All business and professional firms have been requested to close for the hour of the funeral. Mr. Richardson had continued to visit his office until July 6th, although not actively participating in the business for several years. The hot days caused him to stay at home during last week, and not until Friday was his condition other than about normal. He was stricken that evening, and passed away Tuesday morning at 6 o'clock. While Mr. Richardson was not the kind to like to get up in a crowd and speak, his counsel and committee work is largely responsible for many of Clarinda's better assets. He started his business career as a jewelry salesman back in Bartlett, Ill., but came to Maryville while waiting to assume a lease on a store in Elgin, Ill., and became interested in the lumber business. He pinch-hit as bookkeeper for his brother-in-law, and found the lumber business much to his liking. In 1886 he purchased the local lumber yard from George Calhoon and has continued the business here since. Thirty years ago, his lumber interests reached to Shambaugh and fifteen years ago to Northboro, Richardson Lumberyards being located at both. Those who can remember back in the days of pioneer Clarinda can tell may things to the credit of Mr. Richardson's community work, from member of the volunteer fire department on up. There were always plenty to assist with the volunteer fire department during the day, so his volunteer work was for nights. Jumping straddle of his old horse, and with chemical tanks thrown on his back, he enjoyed making the runs. His civic work has been through many channels--chautauqua board, school board, park board, chamber of Commerce, church, Page County State Bank, building and loan association, hospital board, etc. The boulevard system was much due to his foresight and work with H. E. Parslow. These two first went before the council and secured permission to have just the two blocks near their homes as boulevard, but finally the entire 20 blocks was planned and Williow street later followed. As member of the Presbyterian church, he has been member of the session since 1890. For years he was president and sponsor of the Christian Endeavor, and in recent years has been specially valuable in the building program of the church. He is the last to go or a one quartet of men who worked together--John Miller, Henry Loranz, William Orr and G. W. Richardson. They are said to have started the building and loan group. He was one to be influential in bringing Rufus Lee to Clarinda. The building program has been largely fostered by him, personally financing much of the work. After the Linderman burned years ago, he was one of the group to back its rebuilding; and the Armory burned in 1912, and he assisted in financing its rebuilding. An addition to Clarinda is named for him, all east of the McKinley school, and he was interested in extending the boundaries of Shambaugh, Ia. He was worker in getting the chautauqua auditorium built in 1908. Many homes were planned and furnished through his cooperation, and the very first house which he sold after coming to Clarinda was the Clements house, now used by the Brown Hospital. He carried much credit for the farming communities, waiting for crops to mature and making other allowances requested by his patrons. He was one of the promoters to have the new addition to the Clarinda Cemetery. He has always been interested in young men. His work in the church was towards the youth, and he has assisted many young men to complete their college careers by financial assistance--sometimes without receiving return after the loan. He was on the board of trustess for Parsons College for years. Mr. Richardson was member of a family of eight born to William and Susan Martin Richardson. He was born at Ithaca, Ill., November 30, 1856, and received his higher education at Wheaton College. He married Mary Sayre at Bartlett, Ill., January 8, 1880. Four children were born to them, all of whom where at home during the final days of their father. Susan (Mrs. Leo Humphrey) of Clarinda, Warren Sayre of Clarinda, Christel (Mrs. Lyle Cassat) of Clarinda, and Doris (Mrs. Ralph Mutz) of Long Beach, Calif. Susan was born in Bartlett, Ill., and the others in Clarinda. Fourteen grandchildren and two great grandchildren survive, all of whom were of great interest to him. It was the pleasure of both Mr. And Mrs. Richardson to celebrate their golden wedding anniversary in 1930. Mrs. Richardson passed away December 14, 1933, and since that time he has continued to live at the home on north 18th street with some of his children. Among business men here, Gorrells are about the only ones left who have been here anywhere near as long as Mr. Richardson. To G. Wm. Richardson is owed a debt from the Clarinda community as a true builder of homes, business, and community progress. It is fitting that the Chamber of Commerce request firms to close during the hour of the funeral service for this pioneer of 50 years service in Clarinda. This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/iafiles/ File size: 6.0 Kb