BIO: Harris RICHARDSON, Huntingdon County, PA

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Commemorative Biographical Encyclopedia of the Juniata Valley: 
Comprising the Counties of Huntingdon, Mifflin, Juniata and Perry, 
Pennsylvania, Containing Sketches of Prominent and Representative 
Citizens and Many of the Early Settlers.  Chambersburg, Pa.: J. M. 
Runk & Co., 1897, pages 273-274.
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  HARRIS RICHARDSON, farmer, Sarah, Penn township, was born in 
McConnellstown, Pa., September 4, 1833, son of William and Catharine 
(Kyper) Richardson. His father was of Scotch-Irish descent, and was a 
native of Huntingdon county. His life was spent in farming and in 
keeping hotel. He also paid some attention to the business of 
auctioneering. His wife was born in Harts Log valley. Their children 
are: Thomas, deceased, who fought in the Mexican and Civil wars; 
Margaret, deceased, wife of William Enyeart, of Indiana; Mary J. (Mrs. 
Samuel Shell), of Grantville; Rebecca (Mrs. David Jones), of 
Logansport, Ind.; Rachel and Eliza, deceased twins; Harris, of Sarah, 
Pa.; William, of Altoona; Catharine A. (Mrs. D. Wiley), of Iowa. Mr. 
Richardson was a staunch Democrat. For eleven years he served as 
constable of Hopewell township. He was a lover of good horses. His 
death occurred about 1837, and that of his wife in 1892.
  Harris Richardson received his primary instruction in the public 
schools of Hopewell township. At the early age of four he was bound out 
with John Detweiler, of Lincoln (Then Hopewell) township, and worked on 
the farm without remuneration until he was twenty-one years of age. In 
1844 he moved to Fulton county and rented a farm of 72 acres, on which 
he remained until 1865. During this period he was afflicted with white 
swelling and lost the heel of the left foot. Returning to Huntingdon 
county, he bought a farm of 100 acres, to which he soon added 22 acres, 
improved the same by the erection of various buildings, and remained 
there eighteen years. Subsequently he bought 300 acres of land in Penn 
township, and also a four-mill known as the James Creek mill property. 
He has since sold the mill to Joseph Grubb, and has disposed of all but 
120 acres of the farm. He owns also a farm in Lincoln township, on 
which his son resides.
  In Fulton county Mr. Richardson was inspector of elections.  For two 
years he served as constable in Lincoln township. He was a candidate 
for the position of director of the poor in 1869, and in 1871 was 
elected justice of the peace, which position he held thirteen years. 
While in this office he officiated at the marriage of seventeen 
couples. In 1871 he was elected director of the poor for three years. 
He was chosen supervisor in 1873, and the following year was elected 
assessor and school director of Lincoln township. From 1880 to 1883 he 
served as school director, and was again elected in 1884 for three 
years. He was elected county treasurer in 1881 for a term of three 
years, and performed the duties with honor to himself and satisfaction 
to the public. For fourteen years he was treasurer of the school board 
of Lincoln township. He was judge of elections in 1884. He was chosen 
constable of Penn township in 1889, and in the same year was paster and 
folder in the State Senate at Harrisburg, where he spent one hundred 
and ten days. In addition, Mr. Richardson has been assessor of Penn 
township three years, mercantile appraiser of Huntingdon county, and 
has been elected county auditor for a term of three years.
  Harris Richardson was married December 31, 1854, near Warfordsburg, 
Fulton county, Pa., to Sarah, daughter of Baltzer Hendershot. Their 
children are: Susan; John T.; Sarah C. (Mrs. Henry J. Boyer); Isabella 
(Mrs. David Frederick), Blair county; Mary J. (Mrs. L. B. Garner), 
Smithfield township; Isaiah L; Maggie A.; Ida M. (Mrs. J. G. Goswell), 
Tod township; Martha (Mrs. Ellsworth Dell), Grantsville; and one who 
died in infancy.
  Although compelled to pass one-third of his life on crutches, Mr. 
Richardson has worked hard, and with the tender assistance and hearty 
co-operation of his estimable wife, has achieved an enviable degree of 
success.