Joseph A. Richard, Tangipahoa Parish, Louisiana
Submitted to the USGenWeb Archives by Frances Ball Turner, Dec. 1997

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History of Louisiana by Chambers,  Vol. II, pg. 180

JOSEPH A. RICHARD, In both business and public affairs at Hammond the name
of J. A. Richard is known because, as owner and president of the Hammond
Motors Company, Inc., he occupies a high place among the successful men
in the commercial world, while as postmaster he has rendered services that
have gained for him the respect and confidence of his fellows.  Mr. Richard
is a native of Donaldsonville, Ascension Parish, Louisville, born May 5,
1882, a son of Aimee and Clara (Cire) Richard.

Thodoule Richard, the grandfather of Joseph A. Richard, was born near
Donaldsonville, Ascension Parish, and there passed his life as a successful
and extensive planter.  In that community in 1840 was born Aimee Richard,
who was reared and educated there and ultimately became a leading contractor. 
In 1922 he retired from business affairs and moved to New Orleans, where he
now makes his home.  He is a democrat and a member of the Roman Catholic
Church, and also a veteran of the war between the states, having served four
years in the Confederate army.  Mr. Richard married Clara Cire, who was born
in 1850, in Ascension Parish, and died at Donaldsonville in 1910.  They became
the parents of the following children:
 Lelia, the wife of Simon Braud, a mechanical engineer of New Orleans;
Emma, who is unmarried and resides with her father; Amanda, the wife of
Louis A. Landry, a sugar planter of Ascension Parish, who has served as
treasurer and assessor thereof; Stella, the wife of Laurence J. Brun,
identified with the Federal Reserve Bank at New Orleans; Edmond, a
pharmacist of New Orleans; Charlie, who has been in the United States
Government service for sixteen years at New Orleans and now has charge
of the foreign mail service for this country; and Joseph A., of this review.

Joseph A. Richard attended St. Joseph's Commercial Institute at
Donaldsonville, but at the age of fourteen years left school to accept a
position as runner in the Peoples Bank of that place.  After one year he
went to New Orleans and secured employment in the same capacity with the
Commercial National Bank, and from that humble position worked his way
up through all the departments until he was next in line for the post of
assistant cashier.  However, in 1914, he resigned his position to become
a member of the firm of Charles M. Rodd & Company, with offices at 421
Hannan Building, New Orleans, a grain concern acting as forwarding agents.  At
that time he came to Hammond and became secretary and treasurer of the Bres
Motor Company, of which he became owner and president in 1922, when he
changed the name to its present style, The Hammond Motors Company, Inc.
The offices and show rooms are situated at the corner of Thomas Street and
Oak Avenue, Hammond.  Mr. Richard handles Ford and Lincoln cars and maintains
a large Ford public garage at the same location.  Through his energy and good
management he has succeeded in building up the largest busines of its kind at
Hammond.  Politically a republican, Mr. Richard has long taken an active
interest in public affairs, and May 1, 1922, was appointed postmaster of
Hammond, a position which he still retains, having improved the service
greatly.  Fraternally he belongs to Livingston Lodge No. 160, F. and A. M.;
Hammond Chapter No. 48, R.A.M.; Kenneth Commandery No. 9, K.T.; and Jerusalem
Temple, A.A.O.N.M.S., of New Orleans.  He belongs to the Hammond Rotary Club,
is a member of the board of directors of the Hammond Chamber of Commerce, is a
stockholder in the First State Bank and Trust Company of Hammond and the
Albany (Louisiana) Bank, and holds membership in the Hammond Country Club.  He
is the owner of a nice home at 207 Pine Street.

On January 20, 1908, Mr. Richard was united in marriage at Beaumont,
Texas, with Miss Clarita Sprigg Flower, daughter of Franks S. and Madie
(Vance) Flower, both of whom are now deceased.  Mr. Flower was formerly
an extensive sugar planter in Rapides Parish, Louisiana.  Mrs. Richard
attended private schools at New Orleans.  The only child of Mr. and Mrs.
Richard, Joseph A., Jr., died in infancy.