Clarence G. Richey
From the Portrait and biographical record of Hancock, McDonough and Henderson counties, Illinois : containing
biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the county (1894) May, 1894. Lake City Publishing
Co. CLARENCE G. RICHEY, who is successfully engaged in dairy farming and stock-raising on section 7, Walnut Grove
Township, was born in Henderson County, on the 10th of August, 1859, and his entire life has been spent upon the
home farm. His parents were Thomas G. and Lavina (Randall) Richey. His grandfather, Judge Richard W. Richey, was
born in Charlton, Saratoga County, N. Y., November 22, 1802, and was the eldest child of Andrew and Polly (West)
Richey, the former a native of Cambridge, N. Y., and the latter of Connecticut. The father died when Richard was
quite young, and the lad received but little schooling. In early life he worked at tanning and carpentering, and at
the age of eighteen went to Cambridge and engaged in the tanning and currying business. In 1823, he married Miss
Nellie Green, of Cambridge, and unto them were born five children. After the death of his first wife he was
married, in 1840, to Miss Agnes Green, of Ohio, and emigrated to Henderson County, Ill., which then formed a part
of Warren County. He settled at Walnut Grove and bought eighty acres of land, on which he built a double log cabin,
18x50 feet, and a story and a-half in height, containing three-apartments. This building is still standing. During
the Mormon disturbances at Nauvoo, at the request of Gov. Ford, of Illinois, he raised a company to assist in
preserving the peace. He did not take his troops to Nauvoo, but visited the seat of hostilities and was requested
by the Governor to take command of the militia there at the time. In 1854, he was elected County Judge, and filled
that office until 1875, with the exception of four years. During that time he made his home in the county seat. His
second wife died in 1856, and the following year he married Mrs. Cornelia Day Moir, widow of Alexis Phelps. The
Judge was a life-long Democrat and a member of the Presbyterian Church. The father of our subject, Thomas G.
Richey, was a native of Washington County, N. Y., born April 25, 1825. By occupation he was a farmer. In 1840, he
started for Illinois, making the journey with an ox-team and wagon. He purchased one hundred acres of land, paying
for it $2 per acre, with money he earned in California. To this he kept adding from time to time until he owned a
most excellent farm, upon which he made his home until 1884, when he removed to Kirkwood on account of his wife's
health. Shortly afterwards, however, he went to Olena, where he was taken sick, and died December 15, 1885. During
the excitement attendant upon the discovery of gold in California, Thomas G. Richey crossed the plains with an
ox-team and remained in the West about two years. He was by common consent placed at the head of the vigilance
committee which was formed after the Brook tragedy, and it was largely due to his skill and energy that every
horse-thief in the county from the time of the formation of the committee was brought to justice. Mr. Richey was a
devoted member of the United Presbyterian Church and an earnest worker in its interests. Mrs. Richey, our subject's
mother, was a daughter of Roswell and Charlotte Randall, natives of New York, and with her parents she came to
Warren County, Ill., in 1845. In the family were six children, all of whom are now living, namely: Mrs. Helen S.
Ferris, now of South Dakota; Charles E., who makes his home in Chicago: Lillian M., wife of Dr. Cowden, who is
living in Winfield, Iowa; Frank, who is engaged in the creamery business in Somonauk, Ill.; Dora A., wife of A. G.
McCowen, of Henderson County: and Clarence G. Our subject acquired his education in the common schools, which he
attended until sixteen years of age. To his father he gave the benefit of his services until he had attained his
majority, and then started out for himself, working as a farm hand by the month. Thus he was employed until his
marriage, which occurred on the 4th of October, 1881, Miss Jessie M. Spears becoming his wife. The lady is a
daughter of Alexander and Mary McElrov Spears, the former a native of Pennsylvania, and the latter of Ohio. They
came to Illinois in 1840, and the father engaged in blacksmithing and farming in Henderson County. In their family
were eleven children: Matthew, Mrs. Margaret Campbell, Mrs. Jane Stewart. James, Mrs. Emeline Pogue, Samuel,
William A., Mrs. Mary E. Whiteman, Clara and Mrs. Jessie M. Richey. Seven of these children are yet living. The
marriage of our subject and his wife has been blessed with four children, namely Ross S., who was born September
24, 1882; Grace, born March 11, 1885; Mary B., born July 8, 1887; and William H., born May 5, 1893. The parents are
both members of the United Presbyterian Church, and are highly-respected citizens of this community. Upon his
father's death, Mr. Richey bought the interest of the other heirs in the home farm, and is now the owner of three
hundred and eighty-acres of valuable land, which is under a high state of cultivation and well improved. It
constitutes one of the finest farms in this locality. The owner is now engaged in stock-raising and in the dairy
business, and along these lines is meeting with good success. In politics, he is a Republican, and is now serving
as School Director. Socially, he is connected with the Modern Woodmen of America. He has always lived in Henderson
County, where he is widely and favorably known. His stanchest friends are among those who have known him from
boyhood, a fact which plainly indicates a well-spent and honorable life.
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