ISAAC W. RICHARDS, a prosperous agriculturist of East Pike Run township, this County, is a native of the same, born October 2, 1842. He is a son of John Richards, who was born in 1799, in Maryland, and when a young man came to Greene county, Penn. After his arrival in Pennsylvania John Richards was married to Phoebe Woodward, who was born in 1803, in Greene county, Penn. In 1841 Mr. and Mrs. Richards purchased and moved upon the home farm in East Pike Run township, Washington Co., Penn., and their place was for many years known throughout the country as the "B1ack Horse Tavern." Mr. Richards was a successful farmer, and, politically, voted with the Whig and Republican party. He and his wife were members of the Baptist Church at Coal Centre. He died in 1864, followed by Mrs. Richards in 1881. They were the parents of nine children, namely: Lucinda (widow of Owen Hines) living in Coal Centre, Penn.; Thomas C., residing in East Pike Run township; Isaac W., whose name opens this sketch; John F.; Mary Ann, Eliza Jane; Sarah Ann and Amy Ann (twins), and Harriet M., of whom the six last mentioned are now deceased. Isaac W. Richards remained on the home farm during his youth, there receiving a common school education. In 1866 he was united in marriage with Mary M. Duvall, who was born December 23 1843, in East Pike Run township, a daughter of Alexander, and granddaughter of Jacob and Jane (Patterson) Duvlall. The latter couple were natives of Maryland, and were descended from Irish ancestry. They came to Washington county, Penn. many years ago, where the following children were born and reared: Mary, widow of Moses Billingsley, of California, Penn.; Harriet, widow of Robert Duvall, of Illinois; Samantha, wife of Lewis J. Weaver, a farmer of East Pike Run township; Jefferson, a resident of East Pike Run township; and eight others who are now deceased. The parents died in East Pike Run township.
Alexander Duvall was born in 1810, on the home farm in East Pike Run township, Washington Co., Penn., and passed his youth under the paternal roof. In early life he was married to Jemima Hannon, who was born in 1809, and they were the parents of seven children, namely: Henry, a farmer of Fayette county, Penn.; Jacob, an agriculturist of Allen township, Washington county; James M.; Jefferson, a farmer of East Pike Run township; Isabella, wife of Jacob Crow, now of Madison county, Iowa; Mary, wife of Isaac Richards, and Julia, married to William H. Jackman, a farmer of East Pike Run township. The father of this family died in 1884, and in 1887 the mother passed away. They were members of the M. E. Church.
To the union of Isaac W. and Mary M. (Duvall) Richards six children have been born, namely: Harriet E., Mina, Nellie B., Elsie B., and Luretta and Viletta (both deceased). Mr. Richards owns ninety acres of the old homestead, and gives his principal attention to farming. He has taken an active interest in the Republican party, and has served for twenty-five years as school director. He and his wife are members of the Presbyterian Church at Coal Centre.
Text taken from page 588 of:
Beers, J. H. and Co., Commemorative Biographical Record of Washington County, Pennsylvania (Chicago: J. H. Beers & Co., 1893).Transcribed March 1997 by Judy and Lee Schaeffer of Pittsburgh, PA as part of the Beers Project.
Published March 1997 on the Washington County, PA USGenWeb pages at http://www.chartiers.com/.[ [Back to Beers Table of Contents] [Back to Beers Project Page]