Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1895-08-15
LAYS HIS PEN ASIDE.
Death After a Brief Illness Of Rev. Dr..
". 7. Richardson.
GIFTED MINISTER AND EDITOR
The Head OF the Central Prcsb,te-
rjnn for Twenty Ncars-Skctch Oh
Ms I,tcre.tiuu Jife-A Class-Natc
of Rev. DIR. Hogc.

Rev. Or. william r. Richardson. the
venerable editor Of the Central Prssby-
terian. died at his residence. No. 2o5 east
Franklin street. last night at s:i5 o'clock
The intelligence of the death Of DR.. klch-
ardson will come as a shock az wei as
sorrow to all his friends in Virginia ana
throughout the land wherever his name
was known and his influence felt Though
for several months past there were indl-
cations Of impaired health and OF the IN
nrmities Of age. he was so regular anu
efficient in the discharge OF the duties oil
his calling that those who were in daily
association with him did not suspect how
near he was to the termination or his nom
ored and useful life.
il was on.y on Sunday last-a day OF
intense heat-that sudden failure of
strength excited the apprehension Of his
family. AMI on the following day so rapid
was his decline that little hope of his re-
coyery was entertained. He continued 10
grow weaker, retaining consciousness al
most to the last, until last night, when he
gently passed into the land Of eternal
light and peace.
SKETCH OF HIS LIFE.
Dr. Richardson was born in the county Of
Charlotte in January, 1870. His father.
CAPTAIN John II. Richardson. was 4 man
OF great industry, intelligence. and infu-
ence He was q successful planter, pub
Iic-spirlted citizen. ana at one time repre-
scented the county Of Charlotte in the
b.4V
beth Spencer. was descended from a long
line Of ancestors. distinguished for social
worth and devout piety. Ii was her SUI
preme care to train her children religi-
OusIy and thus prepare them Tor the
highest walks Of usefulness. Her son,
William. after an academic training ~
his native county. was sent 10 Hampton
Sidney College. and graduated dutlnb uhe
presidency Of the Hon William Maxwell
There were twelve members OF the Etaau-
ating class. one Of whom was the rare
Colonel Charles :. Cdrrlngton' aholueI
Jr,lge Frank Irving. Of Farmville, and
another Ut. Moses -. Hoge. OF hlch-
mond. OF the twelve men composing that
class Or. Hoge is now, since the death
of Dr Richar son. the sole survivor ana
mcurns the loss u his friend with the
deepest sorrow. Among the eminent pro-
lessons OF Hampton sidney College al
that time was General Francis H. Smlth'
afterwards principal Of the virginia Mill
tlrv Institute at Lexington, VINO was
succeeded I'm tne Chair Of Mathematics
bv Colonel benjamin ;. Ewei after
yards president Of William and Mary
College. Another professor was the dis
tinguished John ". Draper so wei
known 10 the scientific world by ms pun.
Ushed works after he was transferred
10 the University Of New York.
As PASTOR AND TEACHER.
After DR.. Richardson graduated at
HampJen-Sidney College, determining I"
become a minister OF the Gospel ne
nurslled his studies IN the Union .Theo-
logical Seminary OF Prince Edward ana
subsequently held two pastoral charges
viz. one In Warrenton. Fauquier county
and the other in Waynesboro. Augusta
conutv-after which he filed the Chair
Of Mental and Moral Philosophy for
several years In the Augusta Female
Seminary. Of Staunton. so long success
fully conducted by Miss Baldwin.
Dr. Richardson was twice married.
After the death Of his first wife, who
was Miss Patrick. Of Augusta he mar
rieI Mrs Colonel Tate. OF the same
county. who survives .iim.
HIS WORK As EDITOR.
j
ton % Richmond. and became editor Of
the Central Presbyterian, IN partnership
With the eminent scholar and writer. Dr.
James G. South1ll. After the resigna-
lion Of Dr. S0uthall. Dr Richardson
for a time conducted the Central Pres
bytcrian, as sole editor. but subsequent
lv associated with him Dr. James T.
Smith. who. during his temporary abb
sence from the city. has heard Of the n
rcuarable Joss occasioEed by the death of
his colaborer arl beloved friend. Or
Richardson. together with Or. James G.
SOuthall. assumed control Of the Central
Presbyterian I'm June, 1879, succeeding Or
William Brown. who. in his valedictory,
said OF his successor:
THE Rev. William r. Richardson is
/ well known in the church. especially In
/ the Synod Of Virginia, as having been
/ for thirty years successful pastor and in
/ structOr Of youth. ~ a man Of clear.
vigorous. practical intellect; Of rip
/ scholarship: of excellent business en-
pacity: 90 well versed I'm the affairs Of
/ the Church, and devoted TO its interests
HIS CHARACTERISTICS.
/ In all these varied departments Of SER
/ vice Dr. Richardson demonstrated his
+ rare capacity Tor usefulness. Dgnifel
courteous. and gentle in manner. clear
and forcible writer, an earnest and
evangelical preacher. an invaluable mem
Der Of Church courts. because OF his pru.
/ dence. conservatism, and familiarity viii
ecclesiastical law; stcadfast and loyal
i'm his friendships. doing justly. lovina
mercy. and walking humbly with God
he goes TO a higher sphere Of service
leaving behind him a great multitude e
mourn the loss Of one who served his
generation with a fidelity crowned by the
/ divine favor and benedictiOn.
In the social circl- few men were more
charm!ng and entertaining than DR.
/ richardson lie was a man OF wide read
inc and had travelled much, several times
abroad His manners were always agree
able. His conversation was usually In
structive. always entertaining and edify
ing.
THE FUNERAL.
The funeral Of Dr. Richardson viii take
I place from the Second Pr sbyterlan church
/ tomorrow morning az 9 o'clock. The ser
/ vic.s will BE- conducted by Dr. Hoge. m,
c'assmate ard lifelong friend Of the De
I ceased. and one or two other ministers vii
problbly take part. The remains Will b,
/ taken 70 WarrentOn. whers Dr. Richardson
once lived and was greatly beloved, fol
! intermcnt
DR.. Richardson leaves no children, bu
/ N-s Willie Talbot, the daughter Of Mrs
| richardson by her first marriage, Ina,
been as his own child.