Putnam patriot., 1920-12-31
PROMINENT MILL MAN
DIES FRIDAY NIGHT
William Richardson, Supt. Put
nam Mfg. Co., Sucumbs To
Pneumonia
Lived In Putnam Nearly 80 Year,
Leaves Wife and Daughter


William Richardson, for the past
six years superintendent of the Put
nam Manufacturing Company, and for
nearly thirty years resident Of Put
nam, died ut his home on Church
street last Friday night at the aga Of
81 years. The direct cause Of deaoA
was pleuro-pneumonia. That M
Richardson's condition was critical wnD
known and his many fricnds were
therefore somewhat prepared 10 hanR
that he had passed away.
While Of rather retiring dispesi-
ton Mr.. Richardson was . man whe
attracted many friends He perform
ed the duties NJ local head Of largo
manufacturing concern without ostan-
tation, and the hundreds Of cmpbquoo
under his supervision respected him
as man and as superior In the cen
duct of the industry. He had himself
worked his way through the depart
ments Of cotton mill and ives fanik
lar with the business from the en-
ployes' point Of view A well a. the
employers. THIS gave him an unuss-
al insight into the attitude Of the en-
ployes toward the employer and Dor
ing his administration no labor tsou-
bles were experienced.
While not man to seek public OF
fice, Mr.. Richardson was ready to help
in all movements for the betterment
of the city. During the many activt
ties caused by the war he was prcsene
at meetings, took active part In al
drives, and saw that his employees were
afforded the privilege Of assisting tn
raising funds. He personally put tho
matter before them and the help 1t
the Putnam Manufacturing Company
we're never found wanting In any APP
peal.
Mr.. Richardson's energies were CIV
en- to his employers. He was faithful
in his duties and was alive TO what
was going on In manufacturing circles.
He was an active member Of the Man
facturers' Association and attended
the meetings. He did not care much
for society, preferring to spend his
leisure time In his home. His atiilia-
tions were with the local lodge Of Odd
Fellows and with the St. Georges So
ciety Of Clinton, Mass.
Mr.. Richardson took personal IN
terest in his employees and their fam
lies. When his company decided 70
make playground in the village he
took special interest In it's supervise
ion. He was fond of children and had
little protege Of his own. This
came about when child came FOR tho
nav envelope Of her father. who was
in. Mr.. Richardson. after hearing OF
the circumstances, told the little one
that there would be an envelope in her
name al the mill Office every pay day
with twenty-five cents in it. She has
been calling regularly for her pay"
which Mr.. Richardson delighted In CIV
ing her, ever since.
Mr.. Richardson was born in Fisher
Vile. now Penacook, N. H., May l.
1868. son of Mr.. and Mrs. James Rich
ardgon. He attended the schools OF
his native town and decided to become
n manufacturer. Among Mr.. Richard"
sons sehoolmates was U. ). Senator
David |. Walsh, former governor OF
Massachusetts.
MI. Richardson sought employment
in one of the nearby cotton mills, be-
ginning Mt machine. He followed
cotton manufacturing all OF his no,
becoming an overseer in the mill OF
the Putnam Manufacturing Company.
He left this position to go to Clinton
Mass. as an overseer. In short dnAe
the Putnam concern sent for him. OF
fering him the position Of assistant 81
perintendent, whics he accepted ~
this time George A. Vaughan ~ ~
perintendent. When Mr.. Vsu9hea ~
signed about six years ago NJ.
ardson succeeded him. Upon ~ ~
organization Of the company. nsw 60
trolled by w. B. Nys, Mr.. R'cAardeoa
was retained ~ the local head q ~
corporation.
Mr.. Richardson married Miss Lar
I.ha T. Buchanan. daughter Of Angea
Buchanan, in 1898. His wffe and >
daughter, Mrs. e. Ray Sherman. ssr.
vive. He abo leaves two brothsrs ana
| two sister.
The funeral service was held from
the home, Monday afternoon at O.
clock, Rev. Boynton s. Merrill Of ~
| Congregational church, ohiciaf3ng.
There was a profusion Of beautiful
floral tributes. The pail bearer wero
lW. b. Nye of Franklin, Mass. the larx-
est stakeholder and chief officer Of Tie
corporation by which Mr.. Richardson
was employed; William Murphy and
Antonio Spencer. statesmen Of the
| Providence Office; Charles Robinson.
superintendent Of the. Wauregan Com
pany; George Gardner. superintend-
ent Of the Nightingale-Morse Manu-
featuring Company, and Francis Net
calf, assistant superintendent 81 ~
Putnam Manufacturing Comnany.
Burial was in Grove street csmstssy-
MA. Rn11lY SHAW