Bartholomew County IN Archives Biographies.....Richards, Charles G. 1872 - ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.rootsweb.com/~usgenweb/copyright.htm http://www.rootsweb.com/~usgenweb/in/infiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Joy Fisher sdgenweb@yahoo.com May 3, 2006, 2:49 am Author: B. F. Bowen (1904) p. 181-183 REV. CHARLES G. RICHARDS. Rev. Charles Gorman Richards, who since 1901 has been pastor of the First Presbyterian church of Columbus, was born in Pittston, Pennsylvania, on the 28th of June, 1872. He comes of English ancestry. His paternal grandfather, Peter Richards, was of English descent and was a resident of Sussex county, New Jersey, whence he removed to Pennsylvania. He followed the occupation of farming and lived a zealous, consistent Christian life, long serving as one of the elders in the Presbyterian church to which he belonged. P. K. Richards, the father of Rev. Richards, was born in Newton, New Jersey, in 1832 and was reared to farm life, following that pursuit in his early manhood. At the present time, however, he is engaged in the real-estate business in Pittston, Pennsylvania. In the community where he resides he is a prominent, influential and highly respected citizen. His political support is given the Republican party, the principles of which he warmly endorses. He has filled a number of township offices, served as superintendent of the poor farm for seven years and was at one time a candidate for the state legislature of Pennsylvania on the Republican ticket. Fraternally he is connected with the Masonic lodge and with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, being a valued representative of those organizations. An active and devoted member of the Presbyterian church, his labors have promoted its growth in the community where he resides and he is now serving as one of its elders. In early manhood he was united in marriage to Miss Rosina Corselius, who was born in Newton, Pennsylvania, in 1837, and who has been to him a faithful and devoted wife and helpmate on the journey of life. They have become the parents of six children: Floyd, who married Catherine Sharps and is a traveling salesman; Jeptha C., who wedded Eleanor Newman and is a farmer residing near Ransom, Pennsylvania; Jessie M., who is the widow of J. Nathan Sutton, who followed merchandising in Wyoming, Pennsylvania; Dorcas, the wife of Earl N. Decker, a contractor of Pittston, Pennsylvania; Charles G., of this review; and Parke, a graduate of Lafayette College, of Easton, Pennsylvania, who is now preparing for the ministry at Princeton, Pennsylvania. Rev. Charles Gorman Richards began his education in the schools of Pittston, Pennsylvania, and after completing the high school course became a student in the Susquehanna Collegiate Institute, at Towanda, Pennsylvania, where he was graduated with the class of 1893. In the same year he matriculated in Princeton University, where he was graduated in 1897, and with a splendid literary education to serve as a foundation he took up the study of theology as a preparation for ministerial labors. Going to Chicago, he entered the McCormick Theological Seminary, where he was graduated with the class of 1901, having complete the full course in what is recognized as one of the best divinity schools in the entire country. Accepting a call from the church of his denomination at Columbus, he has since remained in this city, as its pastor and his zealous labors have been productive of great good. Although a young man, Rev. Richards is regarded as a strong preacher. He has excellent oratorical ability and added to this is his deep conviction and earnest desire to benefit his fellow men. While in Princeton University he was a member of the American Whig Society, which he represented in a junior oratorical contest, winning the second prize. His fluent speech and clear and forceful presentation of his thoughts has been one of the strong elements of his success in the ministry. On the 26th of June, 1902, Rev. Richards was united in marriage to Miss Mary Louisa McKnight, a daughter of James and Louisa (Lindsay) McKnight, the former a native of Chambersburg, Pennsylvania, and the latter of Peoria, Illinois. Mr. McKnight was an attorney, who gained prominence and success in his profession and served as the attorney for the Pennsylvania Railroad Company. He was a graduate of Lafayette College, of his native state, and his marked ability gained him distinction in the line of his chosen profession. His political allegiance was given the Republican party and he was a member of the Presbyterian church. Unto him and his wife were born three children: Mary L., now Mrs. Richards; Elizabeth, who is attending college at Chambersburg, Pennsylvania; and one that died in infancy. Mrs. Richards has proved most helpful to her husband in his work, being a lady of culture, of tact and of broad sympathy. Rev. Richards has accomplished much during the years of his ministry in Columbus. He brought to his work strong determination, unfaltering devotion and consecration and the church has had a gratifying growth under his guidance. He has also cleared the church of a small indebtedness and. has purchased a nice manse, at No. 1039 Franklin street. He is a trustee of Hanover College and is deeply interested in everything pertaining to the welfare and progress of the community. In manner social and genial, he has gained the friendship and regard of many people outside of his denomination as well as among his own parishioners. Additional Comments: Extracted from BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD OF BARTHOLOMEW COUNTY INDIANA INCLUDING BIOGRAPHIES OF THE GOVERNORS AND OTHER REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS OF INDIANA ILLUSTRATED 1904 B. F. Bowen PUBLISHER File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/in/bartholomew/bios/richards394nbs.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.net/infiles/ File size: 6.0 Kb