The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1899-08-24
A Self Made Man and a Pro-
minent Member of the
Kinston Bar.
Solicitor If The Sup rior coud Of lhs Sixth
Jndic al District From 1924
to 1898.

Genius and common sense are often
compared by moral philosophers, and
their relative advantages contrasted, as
weapons in the combat of life. Genius
is flashing sword. brilliant. keen, at
traetiye.. Common sense is battle axe,
polrdprous. true, unfailing. Genius ac-
eolnphshes It's work by one mastery
stroke Of strategy or power Common
sense is steady and pounds away continu-
ously until it accomplislles its purpose.
The two are r"~aly combine,. Il one in
dividual
NJ. G. Richardson is a representative
Of the class Of common sense workers.
aud is a conspicuous representative. lie
is a wise thoughtful man. and the in
fnence he has exerted has been due 10
his sturdy common sense.
Born in Johnston county in 1914, rear
ed at the plow-handle, accustomed from
boyhood up TO manhood to the hunt OF
wild fowl of every name and kind and
Injured to toll it is not strange that
life starting under auspices so favorable
for manly development should have
grown into strong and hardy manhood,
that could grapple with stern realities.
undismayed by disaster that would have
appalled, others less endowed.
As a boy he was Industrious and CON
scientious, employing in study the inter
walls of toll and deyoting himself
faithfully to all the obligations of duty.
He was d mere lad when the tocsin Of
war called his countrymen to arms, but
in 1864 he joined the Confederate forces
and served faithfully to the end. When
peace came he studied law under j. IL.
Abcll of Smithfield, was licensed in
1867, and in that year settled at Clinton,
Sampson county, and began the practice
of the profession, which has since crown
ed his career with so much success. BY
strict attention to duty he Soon made a
fine reputation as lawyer and advocate.
Mr.. Richardson has held two political
positions, but it must he stated in this
connection that he did not seek either
one of them, having been elected
in both instances without his knowledge
or consent. They were cases of the office
seeking the man. and not the man seek
ing the office The first of these posi-
tions was solicitor Of the inferior court
from 1888 to 1885, and the other was
Solicitor of the Superior Court of the
Sixth judicial District from 1894 to
Il 1870. lie HIS HI8dy5 toihiitd
too closely to his law and business in
terests to allow the use of his name for
political promotion.
He was for a number of years attorney
for the Clinton Building and Loan Asso-
citation. He is full Of energy and enter
prise. and has ever been foremost in the
development of the section in which he
has lived His financial ability is of the
best. and he has large agricultural inter-
ests in Sampson. Johnston and Bladen
counties. Mr.. Richardson has wife
and four children, two boys and two
girls. and it is a most interesting family.
One OF his sons, Donald A. Richardson,
is at Peace Institute. Raleigh, taking
private lessons in music. He is consid-
cred a musical genius, and has already
received more honors than usually falls
to the lot of an amateur so young. lie
expects to finish his musical education in
Boston and Europe, and If the predic-
tions of his teachers be true will un-
doubtedly become one of Americas most
famous musicians. Mr.. Richardson re-
Gently moved from Clinton to lkinston,
and is a valuable acquisition to the bar
and the general good standing and en-
lightenment Of Kinston.