Ada County ID Archives Biographies.....Richards, James Heber 1852 - ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/id/idfiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Joy Fisher http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00001.html#0000031 October 12, 2010, 5:43 am Source: See Below Author: S. J. Clarke (Publisher, 1920) Hon. James Heber Richards HON. JAMES HEBER RICHARDS, attorney and jurist, who for two years presided over the third district court, when he would no longer consent to remain upon the bench and resumed the private practice of law in Boise, where he ranks as one of the ablest and most distinguished members of the Idaho bar, was born in Fredericktown, Knox county, Ohio, May 5, 1852. He was one of a family of eight children, four sons and four daughters, born to Daniel and Clarissa (Allen) Richards, both of whom were natives of the state of New York and have now passed away. Four of their eight children are still living, all being residents of Idaho, namely: Clara H., a resident of Boise; Wilson P., also of Boise; James H.; and Arthur P., of Emmett. Judge Richards was reared upon a farm in Knox county, Ohio, to the age of fourteen years, and during that period pursued a country school education. He then started out to provide for his own support and has since been dependent entirely upon his own resources, so that he has justly won the proud American title of a self-made man. Energy, industry and ambition have actuated him at every point in his career. He was first employed upon a dairy farm for two years and later went to Bellville, Ohio, where he worked for his board and attended school for two years. He was ever desirous of advancing along intellectual lines and throughout his entire life has manifested studious habits that have kept him in touch with the trend of modern thought and progress. At eighteen years of age he went to Huron county, Ohio, to become manager of a large four hundred acre stock farm and spent one year in that position. He afterward resided for two years in Seneca county, Ohio, where he was engaged in farm work, and from 1872 until 1878 he was engaged in teaching school in Mount Vernon, Ohio. In the latter year he became a student in the Ohio Wesleyan University at Delaware, Ohio, and in the meantime he had begun the study of law. Returning to Mount Vernon, he again taught school for a brief period and in 1879 made the initial step on his westward journey, removing to Denver, Colorado. There he entered the law office of Markham, Patterson & Thomas, well known attorneys of that city, who directed his reading for two years and who paid him sixty dollars per month for his services as a law clerk. In 1881 he was admitted to the bar and for five years thereafter engaged in active practice in Denver. He then removed to Breckenridge, Colorado, where he practiced his profession from 1886 until 1890. In the latter year Judge Richards arrived in Boise, where he has practiced continuously since save for the period of his service upon the bench. In politics he has always been a stalwart republican. The docket of the third district court having become badly congested, in 1894 Mr. Richards consented to become judge of the district in order to clear up the docket and did so with great sacrifice to his personal interests. He remained upon the bench for two years, during which time he accomplished his purpose of clearing the docket and then retired, resuming the private practice of law. It required three years for him to catch up with his private practice and he was harder worked during that period than in any other time of his life. The following resolutions by the bar of the third judicial district of Idaho were passed: "Whereas, the District Court of the Third Judicial District of the State of Idaho, in and for Ada County, and presided over by Hon. J. H. Richards, District Judge, has now been in continuous session about sixty days, and during which time over one hundred cases have been disposed of, many calling for the solution of intricate and novel legal propositions and the adjustment of strongly disputed facts, and, "Whereas, Hon. J. H. Richards, as Judge, has speedily, fearlessly, impartially and with ability tempered with justice and right, met and decided each matter of dispute presented to him, "It is therefore Resolved: That the members of the Bar of this District hereby express their high regard for the dignity, fairness and ability of Hon. J. H. Richards, as Judge of said Court, and his kindness and courtesy extended to each member of the Bar, as well as the jury in attendance and the litigants. "Resolved: That an engrossed copy of these resolutions be presented to Hon. J. H. Richards, and that the same be spread upon the records of the Bar Association of said District. (Signed) GEORGE H. STFWART O. E. JACKSON ALFRED A. FRASER Committee." In 1905 Judge Richards was a member of the state legislature, being the only lawyer in the house, and he was made chairman of the judiciary committee. Other political offices could have been won by him if he had so desired. He has frequently been urged to become a candidate for the office of governor and for member of the supreme court but has always declined, his ambition being in other than political lines. He prefers the private practice of law and he keeps in close touch with the trend of professional thought and practice through his membership in the Idaho State Bar Association and the American Bar Association. On the 29th of November, 1881, Judge Richards was married in Winona, Minnesota, to Miss Fannie Howe. They are members of the Christian Science church and Judge Richards is a Master Mason and also an Elk. He served as the first exalted ruler of Boise Lodge, No. 1, B. P. O. E. He is likewise a member of the Boise Commercial Club and is interested in all those activities and projects which have to do with the upbuilding of the city and the upholding of high civic standards. Additional Comments: Extracted from: IDAHO DELUXE SUPPLEMENT CHICAGO THE S. J. CLARKE PUBLISHING COMPANY 1920 Photo: http://www.usgwarchives.net/id/ada/photos/bios/richards79nbs.jpg File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/id/ada/bios/richards79nbs.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.net/idfiles/ File size: 6.6 Kb