Will County IL Archives Biographies.....Richards, Dr Charles 1832 - ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/il/ilfiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Deb Haines ddhaines@gmail.com May 4, 2007, 5:28 pm Author: Portrait & Biographical Album, 1890 DR. CHARLES RICHARDS. The medical profession of Will County received a worthy addition in 1868, by the advent of Dr. Richards, who thereafter prosecuted a successful practice until his death, which occurred February 5, 1890. He was born in Newport, Herkimer County, N. Y., July 26, 1832, and was the son of Richard and Mary Agnes (Newton) Richards, who spent their last years in Ohio. When Charles was a lad of ten years, his parents removed to New Haven, Ohio, where he completed the rudiments of an English education, and, when of suitable years, began the study of medicine in the office of Dr. F. G. Armstrong. Later he attended lectures at the Albany Medical College, from which he was graduated in 1855. He continued his residence at New Haven, and followed his profession until coming to Illinois. During his citizenship in Joliet, Dr. Richards won the respect and esteem of all by his sterling qualities of heart and mind. Not only was he skilled in dispensing medicines, but he possessed that sympathetic and genial nature which at once inspired confidence among his patients, and which was often of more assistance to them in their recovery than anything which could be obtained from the pharmacist. Dr. Richards built up a large and profitable practice, and in social as well as business circles was a universal favorite. From 1870 to 1874 he held the office of County Coroner, and for some time he was Secretary of the Will County Medical Society. His religious belief coincided with the doctrines of the Methodist Episcopal Church, of which he was a leading light in Joliet, and of which his widow is also a member. Politically, Dr. Richards was a stanch Republican, and was influential in his party in this portion of the State. The marriage of Dr. Charles Richards and Miss Harriet, daughter of Thomas T. and Phebe (Stewart) Mulford, was celebrated at the bride's home, in New Haven, Ohio, March 25, 1858. Mrs. Richards was born March 10, 1835, in New Haven, Ohio, and was one of a family of six children born to her parents. The latter were natives respectively of Pennsylvania and Connecticut, and are now deceased. Mrs. Richards, who survives her husband, is a lady of excellent character, and highly respected in the community. She occupies a beautiful home on Richards Avenue, and enjoys the friendship and association of the best people in the city. To her active co-operation may be attributed not a little of the Doctor's success, for she was a true helpmate to him in every sense of the word. In connection with this sketch we present a lithographic portrait of Dr. Richards. He is remembered affectionately by a very large circle of acquaintances, to whom his worthy traits of character endeared him. He was distinguished not less for his kindness of heart than for his superior talents of mind, and, has became a true Christian, his word was always as good as his bond. Additional Comments: Portrait and Biographical Album of Will County, Illinois, Containing Full Page Portraits and Biographical Sketches of Prominent and Representative Citizens of the County; Chicago: Chapman Bros., 1890 File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/il/will/bios/richards1267nbs.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.net/ilfiles/ File size: 3.7 Kb