Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1920-03-01
Alton Richardson, ST.,
ClintOn's Grand Old Man

ClintOn'S Grand Old Man
Clinton, Feb. 2s.-Alton Richard
son, ST.. of Clinton, is believed to be
its oldest man. He was born in this
town June 5, 1925, the sen Of 1srac.
II. Richardson and Sarah tNNells)
Richardson, having been their sixth
child. His grandfather was Captain
Andrew Richardson, a Revolutionary
soldier. Both his father and grand
fater were farmers and lumber men
of Benton and his father was also
an expert surveyor Of lumber. His
father died in 1889, leaving his widow
with 10 children. Alton remained at
home with his mother and attended
the common schools until ne was 16.
when, with a noble resolution, he hired
out with a farmer, Jefferson Hines,
for so month. Later re earned a
dollar a day haying and thought it
good pay. While working on the Pc
nobscot River for his brother Albion.
he became an adapt in log driving and
all hardy crafts of lumbermen. He
followed this occupation for seven
years in the employ of different par
ties.
In 1850 he went TO California, and
and hardships of a mining camp. The
snow was six feet deep. and provis-
ions. pork. potatoes. bour and beans.
were all the same price. 50 cents per
pound. When the party disposed of
their gold dust at the end of three
months it panned them on. Sc per day
on an average. After that time Mr..
Richardson sometimes took out $500
to $500 in a day with his pick and
shovel. After two years in California
he learned that a sister a. home was
very i'll SO he came to his home town.
made her comfortable as long as she
lived, and put his money into 126
acres of land which he later increased
to 200 acres, which constituted his
homestead farm for many years. In
these years on the farm he engaged
in stock raising and dealing in hay
beside farming. In 1865 he formed
a partnership with his uncle, Gideon
Wells, which proved very successful.
This partnership lasted FOR 25 years
and the firm of Wells and Richardson
was at times the most extensive deal
ors in cattle in the State. shipping
from 100 to 800 head per "eek to the
Brighton market. In 1872 Mr.. Rich
ardson went into the Provinces and
bought 800 head of cattle which he
drove 800 miles to his home, paying
SIS a ton for the hay they consumed
and cleared $1,000 on the deal he
bought them so cheaply.
In 1880 the firm turned their attention
to buying hay and shipped about 100
tons a year. Since the dissolution of
this firm Mr.. Richardson has been as
ISOLATED in partnership with Hon. w.
F. Gleason OF Holbrook, Mass. and
with A. Frank Blaisdell, under the m
name of Alton Richardson & Co.. ard
in 1892 they extended their trade to New
York state, buying hay around Geneva
for shipment.
In 1858 Mr.. Richardson married Mrs
Jane A. Spencer of Benton. and six
children were born to them. five Of
whom are living: Mrs. Alice A Hunter
of Clinton. Arthur W. of Clinton, who
is wintering with his family in Flori a
Mrs. Clara J. Martin of Bangor. Mrs.
Martha G. Hayes of Pennington and
Alton, n, Of Waterville. His wife died
while the children were yet young and
in 1874 he married Mrs. Olive f. Web
Der. who died IL years ago
~nti
about IS years ago he exchanged the
homestead farm with his son, Alton Jr..
for his present home, which is beaut;-
fully located and Of which he is very
fond.
1t has been we'll said Of Mr.. Richard
son that ne came of stock possessed %
remarkable vitality and vigor. and that
his ancestors handed down to their chill
dren the most fundamental Of all fort
innate possessions. sound bodies, the
prerequisite OF sound minds. He is n
man Of splendid physique and In refer
ence to his vigorous pursuit of business
It was remarked that he had started
from his home so early that he had
reached Thorndike on the morning after
the atrocious Gordon murder was COM
mitted IN time to see he bodies of the
victims taken out. Of the house. His
mind is marvelously clear and he has
enjoyed fine health until few days aro
when he became i'll with heart trouble.
He is cared for by Mrs. Ida Rolfe
Mitchell, who also keeps his horse
His Youngest son, Alton Jr.. is as
much Of business man as his father
and besides his interest in other places
he shows very great one In his ma
tive town. He has recently added to
his holdings Of real estate there the
Clinton house and the farm and other
purchased Of Mrs. Cushman
Brown.