Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1897-01-15

Betsey Richardson. He remained on the
home farm until April, 1S41, the year after
his marriage to Miss Sophia r. Plummer,
daughter of John Plummer, when he bought
his grandmother's interest in the old Stew
art farm and moved there. Mr.. and Mrs.
Richardson lived on the farm six years,
and at the end of that time moved back to
West Brattleboro, Mr.. Richardson having
bought Edward Crosby's soap and candle
business at Centrevile. After three years
Mr.. Richardson sold this business to II. +.
Smith and moved to farm on the hill
above what is now the Carroll place. BE
afterward exchanged this for the fine farm
in Gullford, now owned and occupied by
Charles Alexander. This farm was Mr..
and Mrs. Richardson's home until 1859,
when he bought the Simonds meat market
In the Blake block in Brattleboro. This
was the beginning of one of the most sue
cessful markets in Vermont, and of rep.
utation which has made Mr. Richardson
known to marketmen and cattle buyers
throughout New England. The market
was moved to Chapin's block on the pres
ent site of the Brooks House, and was de-
stroyed in the great fire of 1869, when all
of the buildings on Main street from High
to Elliot street were burned. Mr.. Richard
where the Leonard building now stands.
When Market block was built the present
market was rented, and few years ago
Richardson q Son bought this building of
Crosby IL Co.
Under the able management of Mr..
Richardson and his sons the business of
the market developed to unusual proper
tions, being probably larger than that of
any similar retail establishment in the
state. A large farm and slaughter house
on the Guilford road are run in connection
with the market. Mr.. Richardson formerly
bought cattle and other stock from nearly
all towns within 30-mfle radius of Brat
tleboro, bu: of late years the supply has
come largely from Western shippers.
Five of the six children born to Mr. and
Mrs. Richardson are still living-Lucius
H., who has been closely associated with
his father in the management of the bust
ness for years; Lucy NJ. Mrs. o. o. Ware
of Wilmington); Cassius NJ. c., Fred A.,
and Edwin B., all of Brattleboro. Mr..
Richard n also leaves four brothers and a
sister-C aries j. of Princeton, III. DR..
John of Aedfeld, Mass. Fred G. of Ne
braska; Austin l. of Jamesburg, n. j.,
and Mrs. A. L. Tyler of Charlemont,
Mass, where she was postmaster for many
years.
Mr., and Mrs. Richardson have had their
home for more than 20 years past in ,he
large house at the top of High street hill
Their golden wedding celebration there in
April, 1890, was an event which many will
/ long remember.
Although his beginning in life was hum
BILE Mr.. Richardson became one of the
most prosperous men of the town. He has
often related that when he and Mrs. Rich
ardson first began housekeeping he received
/ Sl1 per month salary and paid $40 a Year
/ house rent His greatest pleasure was in
/ devotion to his business and he has not
engaged actively in public affairs, although
he has held the offices of selectman and
! lister at different times.
Mr.. Richardson was one of the most
| genial and likable men in Brattleboro, and
for this reason no one thought of calling
him anything but "Uncle" William. He
was always bright and CHEEKY, and ready
with an apt story to illustrate his conver-
sation. Few men took so great an interest
in the Valley Fair or contributed so much
to its success. Mr.. Richardson made trips
to Maine to buy the finest oxen and steers
exhibited at the fairs there, and these with
those which he had been collecting at home
during the year were pretty sure to carry
off blue ribbons. In three or four of the
coaching parades one of the features was
Mr.. and Mrs. Richardson in a chaise of
olden time, with costumes corresponding to
the conveyance.
Mr.. Richardson kept to the last his
youthfulness of heart and lively interest
in what interested those about him. In all
the country roundabout the news that
"Uncle William" is dead will awaken food
of pleasant memories, and with them a
pang of heartfelt regret that his genial,
wholesome presence is to be seen amongst
us no more.