Genesee-Tuscola County MI Archives Biographies.....Richardson, Nathan Mann 1845 - 
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Joy Fisher sdgenweb@yahoo.com December 19, 2006, 10:37 pm

Author: Chapman Bros. (1892)

NATHAN MANN RICHARDSON, Secretary and Manager of the Peninsular Masonic Aid
Association at Caro, is the son of Thomas and Esther (Mann) Richardson. The
father was a native of Vermont and the mother of Massachusetts. When quite young
the parents removed with their respective families to Canada, where they were
married June 30, 1837 and where, on a farm near Port Dover, Canada West (now
Ontario), our subject was born March 19, 1845. The mother was left a widow with
seven children when Nathan was only three years old. Four years after the demise
of her husband she came to Michigan and located in Genesee County, where her
brother, William Mann, (the founder of Mt. Morris, which he first named Dover,)
was living.

  The record of the brothers and sisters of our subject is as follows: Angeline
married Albert Herrick in Genesee County in 1856, who afterward enlisted and
died in the army. One child survives that marriage. Sarah, who married Henry
Stewart, and has three children, resides on a farm near Midland. Harriet became
the wife of John Butler, a farmer near Port Dover, Ontario. They have three
children. Caleb A., a farmer in Williams Township, Bay County, this State,
served during the Civil War in the Twenty-third Michigan Infantry. A severe
wound received at Resaca, Ga., crippled his left arm for life. He was discharged
in 1865 and has a family of four children. Next in order of birth is our
subject. Thomas, a carpenter and farmer in Midland County, is married and has
six children. Israel H. was a soldier, going out and returning with his
regiment, the Twenty-ninth Michigan Infantry. He is a carpenter at Midland, this
State, where he and his wife are rearing their family of six children. This
shows a soldier history for three of the four brothers. Possibly this record is
due to the fact that the father, Thomas Richardson, in his early manhood was in
the Canadian Rebellion as one of the rebels.

  At eight years of age our subject's battle of life began and he continued for
eight years as a farmer's boy, receiving as compensation for his services his
board, clothes and schooling. He never received any wages until 1861 when he was
sixteen. He then made his first contract for wages at $4 per month. In the fall
of the same year, he was induced to take a trip to Ohio, where in Coshocton he
enlisted October 4th, in Company D, Fifteenth United States Infantry,
headquarters at Newport Barracks, Ky. Being but sixteen years and six months old
he was enlisted as a drummer but was given a gun and performed the duties of a
soldier-His service in this regiment lasted fifteen months. While standing guard
at Mumfordsville, Ky., December, 1861, in a violent rain, he was taken down with
measles and was for a time disabled, but when his regiment moved he marched with
it to Bowling Green, Ky., Nashville, and then to Columbia, Tenn., when utterly
giving way he was sent back to the hospital at Nashville, and afterward so far
recovered as to be transferred to convalescent camp. Not content to remain idle
but, being considered unfit by the physician in charge to join his regiment, he
nevertheless packed his knapsack and started without leave, with others who were
sent to the front. He made a desperate effort to get through to his regiment,
which he learned was at Huntsville, Ala. At Pittsburg Landing, Tenn., however,
he was called upon with others for examination and was then sent to the
regiment's headquarters at Newport Barracks, Ky., where he was finally
discharged January 8th, 1863, for disability.

  Returning to Genesee County, Mr. Richardson attended school for a time at the
Beecher school-house, but his thoughts were with the brave boys in the camp and
on the battle-field, and he had been at home only forty days when he re-enlisted
February 20,1863, in Company F, Second Michigan Infantry, with his teacher, Mr.
Hornell, who had also been a soldier. Prior to the war this company had been
known as the Flint Union Grays. Mr. Richardson joined his regiment at Newport
News, Va., and with it became an integral factor in the First Brigade, First
Division. Ninth Army Corps, Maj. Gen. A. E. Burnside, commanding. The corps was
very soon ordered to Kentucky. Embarking upon transports and steaming out for
Baltimore a fierce storm was encountered and here the soldiers met a new
experience in the horrors of sea sickness. The first march upon their arrival in
Kentucky was a very tedious one, many being unable to withstand the hardships,
having been comparatively idle during the previous winter. Mr. Richardson's
pluck, however, and the fact that he was a recruit would not allow him to "fall
out", although he had severe blisters on both feet and was scarcely able to
walk. His discipline in the regular army had taught him that obedience is the
first requisite of a good soldier, and this lesson well learned, stood him in
good stead throughout his military life. A very brief stay in Kentucky, and
Burnside was again moved to Mississippi, settling on the Yazoo River back of
Vicksburg, to guard Grant's rear from Gen. Joe Johnston. While here, occurred
one of those tremendous rainfalls, for which the far South is noted. Being
camped on a level at the foot of a hill, the water came down so suddenly and in
such a mass that tents, clothing, camp equipage and in fact every movable thing,
unless the soldier was on hand to save it, was swept away. Even mules tied on a
still lower creek level were drowned before they could be reached. On the day of
the fall of Vicksburg, July 4th, 1863, they commenced the march to Jackson,
Miss., where a fierce engagement ensued. While the Second Michigan was going
forward, deployed as skirmishers, through some mistake in orders they understood
they were to "Forward double quick," and although widely separated as
skirmishers and a full line of rebels behind a rifle pit immediately in front,
they obeyed the order and drove the enemy out, capturing the rifle pits; a feat
probably not equaled during the entire war.

  Next the regiment was ordered to Madison Station, Miss., for the purpose of
destroying the railroad, and as the neighborhood had never been visited before
by the soldiers of either army, the boys feasted, something of an unusual
occurrence in their army life. They soon returned to Kentucky, and upon reaching
Crab Orchard, rested a few days; then started on a march of two hundred miles to
Knoxville, East Tenn. by way of Cumberland Gap. This march was the most pleasant
portion of the entire army experience. The orders were to make ten miles a day
but the corps would make fifteen miles for two days, thus gaining every third
day to rest. From Knoxville the corps proceeded to Lenoir Station where they
went into winter quarters, constructing log cabins 6x8 feet covered with their
tents, one end containing two double bunks, the other end a fireplace, and each
cabin accommodating four soldiers. Here was found a peculiar kind of flour,
which if cooked and eaten warm invariably nauseated the eater, but if eaten cold
did not. This was well known by the native farmers and was called "sick wheat."
Scarcely had they become settled for the winter when they received the long
familiar order, "Be ready to march at a moment's notice with three days rations
in haversack," and one bleak November morning were ordered to "Fall in," and did
so amid many regrets at leaving the comfortable homes and ironical expressions
as to their speedy return, marching to Loudon where the railroad crosses the
Tennessee River. Here the railroad bridge was destroyed, the railroad engines
fired up and the cars attached, all set in motion and; run off the railroad
abutments into the river. For quick and complete destruction of property this
seemed the climax, but it was made necessary from the fact that Gen. Longstreet
with a large rebel force was almost within hailing distance at the time, coming
up from Chattanooga to recapture East Tennessee. Burnside then recrossed the
river and took up a hurried line of march toward Knoxville. Determined stands at
Lenoir and Campbell's Stations, only served to check but not stop the enemy.
Night and day without rest or sleep, so closely pressed that the firing in the
rear was almost constant, these weary, foot-sore, hungry, dirty, sleepless
soldiers of the Ninth and Twenty-third Army Corps finally reached Knoxville,
where they were immediately besieged. Rations were speedily reduced to
one-quarter and that to bread made of bran. Scant clothing and food, with
incessant duty was the order of the day. On November 24 the Second Michigan was
ordered to make a charge on a rifle pit in front of Ft. Saunders. Going over our
works one hundred and fifty strong, down the slope on the double quick, they
charged and drove the rebels out of the pit holding it until ordered to retire,
every man for himself. In less than half an hour eighty-six were either killed
or wounded, including every officer. Mr. Richardson was wounded in the right
foot on the charge but still kept his place in the ranks, for which he received
honorable mention. He was sent to the Court-house hospital where he remained
until given a furlough with his regiment which re-enlisted in January, 1864.

  After the thirty-day furloughs expired, Mr. Richardson, with his regiment,
again joined the Ninth Corps at Annapolis, Md., proceeded directly to the front
and was engaged at the Wilderness and continually through the campaign under
Grant up to and including the siege of Petersburg. Mr. Richardson was again
wounded June 18, 1864, this time in the right arm. At Spottsylvania his regiment
supported a battery which the enemy charged three times. In the last attack the
gunners were all killed or disabled, and the Second Michigan then manned and
doubled charged the guns, repulsing the enemy with terrible slaughter. Young
Richardson was then detailed to follow the enemy, and report where they
re-established their line. He was here unexpectedly promoted to Corporal and was
afterward made one of the color guard, and as such entered the charge at the
blowing up of the Crater at Petersburg, July 30, 1864. Sergeant Gaines and Mr.
Richardson were the only ones with the colors, and in that charge they were
taken prisoners with all the regiment who had remained at their post, and of
necessity the Second Michigan colors were lost, but never surrendered. The
prisoners here captured were taken to Danville, Va., where they were held for
seven months. While in prison, Mr. Richardson was supposed by his relatives to
be dead, although he immediately wrote home, his messages were not received
until January, 1865. At first the prisoners had plenty of corn bread, but their
allowances were lessened until they were nearly starved, and on the day that
they were finally paroled thirteen hundred of the two thousand five hundred who
were imprisoned, lay in their graves. On arrival at Richmond they were held at
Libby Prison about two weeks, while awaiting transportation down the James River
to our lines. At Annapolis all were granted a thirty day's furlough. Just before
being taken prisoner young Richardson read in the Detroit Tribune that his
brother Caleb had died from the effects of his wounds; on stepping from the cars
at Mt. Morris the first acquaintance met was Dr. Baldwin who conveyed the glad
news that such was not the case but that he was at that moment in Harper
hospital in Detroit doing well. After joining the regiment at Washington our
subject was promoted to be Color Sergeant, May 15, 1865, and as such carried the
colors through the Grand Review at Washington and was mustered out at Detroit,
in August, 1865. Upon the final return from the battle-field a grand reception
was given the regiment by the citizens of Detroit. While in the Second Michigan
he never lost a day's service, except while wounded or a prisoner.

  And here ends Mr. Richardson's war record, which may be briefly summarized as
follows: Soldier four years; in every Southern state but three; in twenty-one
battles; wounded twice; prisoner of war seven months; was never under arrest or
on extra duty as punishment; carried the colors of his regiment, and was not of
age until March 19th, 1866. Almost immediately upon his return from the army and
while visiting his relatives in Midland he was persuaded to go into the lumber
woods; about sixty days, however, of blisters, pine pitch and mosquitoes
permanently cured him of hoping for sudden wealth from lumbering, and he
returned to farm work with his brother Caleb, in Genesee County; only, however,
for the remainder of the year 1865. 1866 and 1867 were devoted to the
acquirement of the profession of dentistry, studying with Henry L. Tewksbury in
Flint. In the fall of 1867, the county seat of Tuscola County having been
located at Centerville, he determined to locate there. In May, 1868, having
acquired a sufficient knowledge to manage an office outfit he removed the same
by rail to Clio, thence by stage to Vassar. Having to remain in Vassar over
night he was persuaded to locate there, and, considerably in debt, he settled
down to test of what stuff he was made. There being no other dentist in the
county he visited Caro, (formerly Centerville), Cass City, Unionville, Mayville
and Watrousville, at stated times, spending a few days in each place, finally
moving to Caro in May, 1869.

  In the fall of 1871 on account of the forest fires which were sweeping over
Tuscola County, on several occasions threatening the destruction of Caro and
only prevented by the most heroic exertions of its citizens, Dr. Richardson
became somewhat discouraged as to its future and removed to Flint, bought out
the dental office of his former preceptor and took up the practice of his
profession. In the following January, while in Caro to complete some unfinished
work, the Board of Supervisors of the county being in session appropriated
$15,000 to erect a court house, thereby settling the long vexed question as to
the final establishment of the county seat, At the same time a flurry of
excitment seemed to indicate the early construction of a railroad, up to this
time, there being none in the county. These events determined him to return to
Caro which he did at the earliest possible moment, moving his entire office
outfit from Flint into rooms especially fitted for its reception by Washburn &
Cooper on the second floor of their new block, thus placing Caro at once on a
par with any city in this part of the State in the matter of a first-class
dental office, which he continued to conduct, until finally selling out after
being elected County Clerk in 1876.

  On May 20, 1870 he was married to Miss Emily Hovey, of Genesee, Mich. She was
born February 16, 1841 on the homestead where her marriage was celebrated. She
has two brothers and one sister and is the daughter of George and Lucinda
(Snyder) Hovey, natives of Mt. Morris, N. Y., who settled on a large tract of
land in Genesee Township and County in 1843, where her father still lives hale
and hearty at seventy-eight years of age, her mother having died in 1888.

  Mrs. Richardson's sister Martha S. married David H. Flynn and they live in
Lafayette, Ind. Charles M. is married, has three children and lives in Detroit,
Mich., and Fred T., with his wife and six children succeeds to the old homestead
in Genesee. Two children have come to bless the home: Emily Gertrude and Fred
Boyd, graduates of the Caro High School Class of '90 and '91. Both now taking
the full course at the University of Michigan in the Classes of '94 and '95
respectively. Politically, Mr. Richardson has always been a staunch Republican.
He has served in various official capacities, was Township Clerk two terms,
1875-76 while serving as such the County Clerk's office became vacant by the
death of Cameron C. Stoddard; and he was appointed to fill the vacancy, February
6, 1876, by the Hon. Josiah Turner, then Circuit Judge of the Seventh Judicial
Circuit. So satisfactory was his discharge of the duties of this office, that he
was elected for three consecutive terms to the same position. He has been a
delegate to State conventions almost invariably since 1876 and in 1888 he was a
delegate to the national convention at Chicago, and was Secretary of the
delegation, whose twenty-six votes were cast solidly for Russel A. Alger, every
time. Benjamin Harrison, however was nominated.

  He was Chairman of the Republican County Committee from 1884 to 1890 and was
again elected in 1890, but declined to serve, feeling that he could not
consistently afford the necessary time and work to do justice to the position.
He was a charter member of Whiteside Post, No. 143, G. A. R., and is the Senior
Past Commander; was Senior Aide to the Department Commander, Charles D. Long in
1885, and has been Aide on the staff of Commander-in-Chief twice. Was present at
the national encampment at Portland, Me., in 1885, Milwaukee in 1889, Boston in
1890 and Detroit in 1891. He is now serving his third term as Quartermaster and
as Drillmaster of the post. Mr. Richardson has been School Inspector for ten
consecutive years. He was a member of the Village Council and committee on
streets, when stone gutters were laid and the streets graveled.

  He was entered, passed and raised in Mt. Moriah Lodge, No. 226, F. & A. M. at
Caro, Mich, in 1875. He took the Chapter degrees in Caro Chapter, No. 96, R. A.
M. in 1877, and served his lodge for 3rears as Secretary, Senior Deacon, Junior
and Senior Warden; was also Secretary of the chapter and Captain of the Hosts,
is an ardent Mason and takes great interest in serving his lodge in any capacity
where duty calls. He was also made an Odd Fellow in 1889.

  Upon retiring from the County Clerk's office in January, 1883, he bought the
Tuscola County abstract and real-estate office of James S. Gillispie & Son, soon
taking as an associate, Fred S. Wheat, whose interest he purchased in November
of the same year and consolidated with Staley & Slaght, under the firm name of
Staley, Slaght & Richardson. Finding that his duties as Secretary of the
Peninsular Masonic Aid Association required his undivided attention he sold out
his interest in the real-estate business to his partners in November, 1884.
Religiously, Mr. Richardson is ultra liberal, although a regular attendant at
the Presbyterian Church and contributing liberally to its support. He believes
that most religious questions can be most correctly answered by "I don't know,"
and subscribes to but one creed, which is "that we are all children of one Father."

  During the quarter of a century in which he has been actively engaged in
business he has never appealed to the courts to enforce the collection of an
account but once in the Circuit Court, and twice before a Justice of the Peace,
both the latter on the same account, and then only to prevent its outlawing.
From a strictly business point of view our subject acts too often through his
sympathies, and yet, using his own expression to the writer, he "would rather
have his faith in mankind than a few extra dollars in money."

  The Peninsular Masonic Aid Association was incorporated as an assessment life
insurance company for Masons, January 18, 1884, and at its first election of
officers he was made its Secretary and General Manager, which position he has
held continously [sic] since. Under his management its growth has been constant
and flattering, numbering at this time nearly twenty-five hundred members. It
demands and receives ail his attention. In 1890, the seventh year of its
existence, he collected and disbursed nearly $50,000 and it has now become one
of the reliable and beneficent institutions of Michigan.


Additional Comments:
Extracted from:

Portrait and Biographical Record of Genesee, Lapeer and Tuscola Counties, Michigan,
Containing Biographical Sketches of Prominent and Representative Citizens,
Together with Biographies of all the Governors of the State, and of the 
Presidents of the United States

Chicago:
Chapman Bros.
1892

File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/mi/genesee/bios/richards17nbs.txt

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