Zina Richey Biography


	This biography appears on pages 916-919 in "History of Dakota 
	Territory" by George W. Kingsbury, Vol. IV (1915) and was 
	scanned, OCRed and edited by Maurice Krueger, mkrueger@iw.net.

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				ZINA RICHEY. 

	Zina Richey is proprietor of one of the leading hardware 
establishments of Yankton, having throughout a lung period been 
identified with the business interests of the city. He is a native of 
Orleans county, New York, born February 25, 1849. His father, John 
Richey, a native of Belfast, Ireland, came to America when a young man 
and engaged in farming in the Empire state. He was married there to 
Miss Mary Sturgis, who was also born in New York, and they became the 
parents of five children as follows: Zina, of this review; Sarah, who 
became the wife of William H. Cady, of Ponca, Nebraska; William H., who 
died May 16, 1914, in Orleans county, New York; John W., who also died 
in Orleans county on Christmas day of 1910; and Nora, who departed this 
life in 1881. The father passed away in Ponca, Nebraska, when he had 
reached the ripe old age of eighty-five years, and the mother died a 
few years previously. 

	Zina Richey was reared on the homestead farm, assisting his 
father in the work of the fields during the spring and summer months, 
while in the winter season he pursued his studies in the common schools 
to the age of fifteen years. After putting aside his text-books he 
continued on the farm one year and subsequently became an apprentice to 
the tinsmith's trade, being thus engaged for three years. He then 
followed his trade as a journeyman until 1870, when he decided to make 
a permanent location in Yankton, South Dakota. In that year he found 
employment with the well known firm of Wynn, Buckwalter & Company, with 
whom he remained three years, and then opened a hardware establishment 
of his own on Third street, near Broadway. Soon thereafter he admitted 
J. H. Dix to a partnership and business was conducted under the firm 
style of Richey & Dix for about three years, when the partnership was 
dissolved and Mr. Richey continued in business alone during the 
subsequent two years. At the end of that period he admitted E. C. 
Dudley to a partnership and for two years business was conducted under 
the firm name of Dudley & Richey. D. M. Gross then became a member of 
the firm, which assumed the title of Dudley, Richey & Gross. Business 
was so conducted for three years, when Mr. Dudley retired and the name 
was then changed to Richey & Gross. Mr. Gross died in 1889 and his son 
then assumed the father's interest, the business being carried on under 
the same style until 1891, at which date Mr. Richey disposed of his 
interest to D. D. Gross and was not engaged in any business for a few 
months. He then again embarked in the hardware business and has 
continued to the present time. His long experience has given him a 
thorough understanding of the trade and his is today one of the leading 
concerns of its kind in the city. He carries a large and well selected 
line of shelf and heavy hardware and has a liberal patronage which he 
well merits, owing to his honorable dealing and enterprising methods. 

	Although Mr. Richey gives strict attention to business he yet 
finds time to cooperate in all movements and measures for the good of 
the city, taking an active part in matters of public moment. He has 
always given his political support to the republican party and was a 
member of the first board of charities and corrections of South Dakota 
and during territorial days was a member of the board of trustees of 
the Territorial Hospital for the insane. He was also for two or three 
years A, member of the board of aldermen of Yankton and since 1898 has 
served as justice of the peace. He has always discharged his official 
duties in the same capable manner that he conducts his private affairs, 
so that he fully merits the confidence of his constituents. He is very 
prominent in fraternal circles as a member of Dakota Lodge, No. 1, I. 
O. O. F., in which he has occupied all the chairs. He has likewise 
filled all the offices in the Grand Lodge of the state and is past 
grand master of the Grand Lodge of South Dakota. He was a member of the 
committee appointed to organize this lodge, was a member of its first 
session and has been a member of every session of that body since its 
inception. He is also a member of Yankton Encampment, No. 2, I. O. O. 
F., in which he has filled all the chairs, and is past grand patriarch 
of the Grand Encampment of South Dakota. He was for eight years a 
member of the Sovereign Grand Lodge of Odd Fellows and is a past grand 
representative. He is perhaps the best known and most able exponent of 
Oddfellowship in the state. Mr. Richey is equally prominent in Masonic 
circles, being a member of St. John Lodge, No. 1, A. F. & A. M., and 
Oriental Consistory, No. 1, at Yankton. He also holds membership with 
the Ancient Order of United Workmen. 

	It was on the 24th of February, 1874, that Mr. Richey was united 
in marriage to Miss Ernie E. Russell, a native of Trumbull county, 
Ohio, who presides with gracious hospitality over their pleasant home. 
Mr. Richey has long been connected with the business interests of his 
city and has lived a life such as to give him high standing in the eyes 
of his community. He is generally recognized as a man whose long years 
of earnest labor in Yankton have not only contributed to his own 
prosperity but have also influenced general growth and advancement.