Individual enterprise which is so justly the boast of the American people
is strikingly exhibited in the career of the gentleman whose name forms the
caption of this sketch. While transmitting to posterity the record of such a
life, it is with the hope of instilling into the minds of those who come
after the important lesson that honor and station are sure rewards of
individual exertion. That the career of such a person besides being
treasured in the hearts of relatives and friends, should have its public
record also, is peculiarly proper because a knowledge of men whose
substantial fame rests upon their attainments and character must exert a
wholesome influence upon the rising generation. The life of Mr. Richardson
has indeed been a busy and successful one and the record is eminently worthy
of perusal by the student who would learn the intrinsic essence of
individuality and its influence in moulding public opinion and giving
character and stablity to a community.
Edward Richardson, the
well-known editor of the Olney Democrat, of which he is owner, also
publisher of the Olney Review, both now popular, and one of the influential
men of Richland county, Illinois, was born in Lawrence county, this state,
October 7, 1867, the son of Thomas H. and Eliza J. Richardson, the former a
native of Kentucky and the latter of North Carolina, both representatives of
old families of sterling character.
The early education of our
subject was obtained in the public schools of Olney, where he carefully
applied himself, evincing an early liking for literary studies and deciding
when a mere boy to devote his life to newspaper work in some form.
The business career proper of Mr. Richardson began October 22, 1891, when he
commenced the publication of the Olney Democrat with C. L. V. Tinker, who
sold his interest to become city editor of the Vincennes Sun. Since that
time, twelve years ago, Mr. Richardson has owned and edited the Democrat
alone, building up the paper until it now has a wide circulation and its
mechanical appearance shows that he has a modern plant, the office being one
of the best equipped in this section of the state. The Olney Review was
established by our subject early in 1908 and it has been a successful
venture, supplying a long felt want in the field it seeks to serve. These
papers have been especially noted for their strong support of all moral
questions and they have enjoyed the support of the best citizens. Aside from
the political phase of these papers they are designed to vibrate with the
public pulse and in addition to the news of the day, their columns teem with
much of the best current literature and they are clean, dignified family
papers as well as popular and influential political organs and their steady
growth in public favor bespeak for them futures of still greater promise and
usefulness under the able management of Mr. Richardson, who is not only an
editorial moulder of public opinion, but he also makes his influence felt in
directing the affairs of the county, being an enterprising, public-spirited
citizen with the affairs of his county at heart.
Our subject was
united in marriage with Hulda Strathmann, on February 9, 1898. The daughter
of Mr. and Mrs. Adolph Strathmann, who became Mrs. Richardson, was born in
St. Louis, Missouri, January 17, 1877. Her father is now deceased and her
mother is now Mrs. Emma L. Busefink. The subject and wife are the parents of
three children, namely: Paul, nine years old in 1909; Martha and Mary,
twins, who are five years old.
Mr. Richardson is a member of the
Methodist Episcopal church and in his political relations he supports the
Democratic party. He is a forceful factor in directing thought along those
lines which make for the enlightenment of the public and the highest good of
his fellow men.
Extracted 26 Apr 2017 by Norma Hass from 1909 Biographical and Reminiscent History of Richland, Clay and Marion Counties, Illinois, pages 283-284.
| Jasper | Crawford | |
| Clay |
 |
Lawrence |
| Wayne | Edwards | Wabash |
