California Biographies, San Joaquin Valley

Transcribed by Peggy Hooper

This file is part of the California Genealogy & History Archives
http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~cagha/index.htm

Source:
History of the state of California and biographical record of the San Joaquin 
Valley, California. An historical story of the state's marvelous growth from 
its earliest settlement to the present time.
Prof. James Miller Guinn , A. M.
The Chapman Publishing Co., Chicago 1905
Notes: Missing Page: 865-866,983-984,1175-1176


JOHN J. RICHARDSON. The representatives of the Richardson family in California are pioneers 
of the state and men who have experienced the trials and privations of a new country. The 
head of the family is Thomas Richardson, who came to the state first during the excitement of 
the gold discovery, returning afterward to his eastern home, when he brought his wife and 
children across the plains. A son of Robert Richardson, a native of Virginia, he was born in 
Burton county, Ky., September 18, 1818, whither his parents had removed. When only three 
months old his home was changed to Pike county, Mo., where his father located on a farm, 
shortly afterward locating in Pike county, Ill., where the same occupation was followed. Thomas 
Richardson was reared upon a farm and trained to the practical duties which have since 
occupied his attention with the exception of a very few years. In 1846, on seeking independent 
operations, he located in the state of Iowa, where he remained until 1850. In that year he 
crossed the plains to California, traveling by means of ox teams, and after spending one year in 
the mines he returned home by way of the Isthmus of Panama. The following year he again 
crossed the plains, bringing his family to California, locating in what is now Stanislaus county, 
being the second man to locate on the south bank of the Stanislaus river. He took up land which 
proved to be a Spanish grant, and he therefore had to purchase the ranch which he had 
improved. This consists of five hundred acres devoted to grain and fifty acres of bottom land, 
which is planted to orchard fruits and a vineyard. Since his location here October 7, 1852, he has 
brought the land to a high state of cultivation and made many improvements which have 
placed his ranch among the most productive and attractive in Stanislaus county. He is still active 
in the pursuit of his agricultural duties, and as well takes a deep interest in public affairs, in the 
interests of the Democratic party, of which he is a stanch adherent, having served for some 
time as justice of the peace. Fraternally he is quite prominent, being a charter member of the 
Masonic lodge at Knights Ferry, a member of the Knights of Pythias, and of the Odd Fellows. In 
Illinois he married Lucinda J. Wagoner, who is now deceased. Their two living children are John 
J., the subject of this review, and Ephraim. 

John J. Richardson was born in Pike county, Ill., January 15, 1849, and was a child of only three 
years when he crossed the plains with his parents to the state which he has since made his 
home. He was reared to young manhood on his father's ranch in this county, interspersing 
home duties with an attendance of the public schools. He remained at home until he was 
twenty-three years of age, when he entered upon independent operations in the agricultural 
line at various places in Stanislaus county. He is now located near Oakdale, this county, and 
engaged in a successful prosecution of his chosen occupation. Mr. and Mrs. Richardson are the 
parents of four children, namely: Fannie, Thomas E., Ora Lee and Emmet William. In his political 
preferment Mr. Richardson is a Republican.