14th Missouri Regimental History

The Life of
Hon. John M. Richardson

John M. Richardson was born September 8, 1820 in Loudoun County, Virginia. He was one of seven children born to Joseph and Susannah Richardson.

John's siblings: Achilles Richardson, Bushrod W. W. Richardson, Joseph H. J. Richardson, and Edward H. Richardson; and sisters: Elizabeth Ann James and Frances M. Richardson.

As a family they headed West, and arrived in Jasper County, Missouri in 1837. They settled in Barry County, (as Jasper county did not exist at that time) his father working the farm and John helping out but he shortly returned to school. Back in Virginia, John received a solid education and continued receiving his law education in Sarcoxie, Barry County, MO. By the time that Jasper County was officially organized in 1841, John M. Richardson was admitted to the Bar and began practicing law.

On November 2, 1843, in Carthage, Jasper County John married Malinda Stewart, born 1821 in Kentucky.

By 1844-46 he was elected as representative in legislature for both Jasper and Newton counties. Shortly thereafter they removed to Springfield, Greene County where they would reside for much of their lives.

When the subject matter is Col. John Richardson, one cannot describe his life and personality without acknowledging the affects of the political times of Southwestern Missouri in the mid 1850's - they go hand in hand. John Richardson's professional life prior to his military career was highly political, very active and outspoken, especially about the current times of social unrest and slavery. He made speeches at several political gatherings and also voiced his strong unpopular views through tools of public office and media. Politically, he was a Whig (the 3rd party as no formal Republican party was organized at this time in MO) and he strongly believed in emancipation and warned of turbulence long before the Civil War - a stance that was not very popular in Missouri.

In 1849, He saw the opportunity to voice his views and used the power of the press to do so. There were very few newspapers in print at the time in Missouri, and The Southwestern Flag debuted on the press with William P. Davis, publisher and John M. Richardson as the editor. Thus, the Flag was a political tool - established to support Thomas Benton's appeal for the "Nullification Resolutions."

Shortly after the debut of the Flag, the Springfield Advertiser writes of the Flag on October 6, 1849:
"...it presents a very neat appearance being printed on entire new materials. With Mr. Richardson the editor, we have slight personal acquaintance, and we have ever found him an upright, high minded gentleman. We welcome him to the editorial corps, and with pleasure we commend him to the esteem of the good citizens of Greene."

This welcome would turn out to be short lived and Richardson would be challenged many times on his views the paper presented though not yielding to the Democrats ideas. In 1851 he retired as editor from the Flag - but this would not end of his journalism career, nor quiet his words.
John M. Richardson was now serving the public - he was elected to the office of Secretary of State for Missouri which he served through the years of 1852-1856.

Following the end of his term, John Richardson again returned to the press to continue his warnings of fore coming suffering. He started his own newspaper, the WEEKLY MISSOURI TRIBUNE and it went into circulation in November 1857. It advocated "Union Democracy". Again, the views of this newspaper were not very popular. It suspended publication just after only a year at press - on November 20, 1858.

He was appointed County (Greene County) Attorney in January, 1858.

In May 1858, a Union convention met and John M. Richardson was among a few who delivered speeches warning that should either political group, the "National Democrats" or "Black Republicans" gain control, it would be detrimental to the life of the nation as a republic. He spoke of the dangers of the dissolution of the Union and forewarnings of civil war.

That August, Hon. John M. Richardson ran for Congress but lost to the more conservative Democrat, John S. Phelps. However, later Hon. John S. Phelps would join Richardson in the new Republican party.

By 1860, The Republican party was finally officially organized and John M. Richardson came to the forefront once again to lead the party's group in Missouri, thus obtaining the nickname of the "Original Lincoln Republican".

As War approached, John M. Richardson stood firm, a leading Union supporter of Greene County and would serve his country well in the years to follow.

Colonel John M. Richardson, War Years

AFTER THE WAR

After the war, John and his family remained in Green County. He returned the his legal practice once again and continued his political support of the Republican party focusing his efforts on new social reform and reconstruction.

As his first legal responsibility, he was appointed to recover the courthouse and prosecute the U. S. government to repair the damages caused during the war. He was awarded $2,500 as compensation.

On May 31, 1866, Col. John M. Richardson made a speech held at the county seat endorsing President Johnson's policy of reconstruction. That August of 1866, Col. Richardson traveled to Philadelphia to attended President's Johnson's reconciliation convention.

He returned as editor of the LEADER for a brief period in 1868 but his career mainstream was now his law firm, though he also participated in business (land) dealings as well.

In 1875 the Richardsons returned to Carthage, Jasper County - but Col. John Richardson was not relieved from the public eye yet. He maintained a law practice and expanded into other business areas as well. Also for a brief period, there was excitement of building a railroad and Richardson paved and laid the gravel for the ties as bonds were issued. However, funds did not meet expenses and the rails were not laid for some, long after Richardson's retired from association with the project.

John and Malinda Richardson had three children; their first born in 1844; a daughter, Kenyon L. Richardson. (She married Maj. J. C. Wilber in Springfield, on January 26, 1865).

In 1858, their second daughter, Melinda O. Richardson was born. Melinda married a Mr. Wyeth and they later moved to Chicago.

In 1865-6 a son, John Richardson Jr. was born. John Jr. took after the family practice of law and together with his father, they later established a law practice under Richardson & Son. John Jr. remained in Jasper County throughout his life.

Malinda Stewart Richardson died a year earlier than her husband, in 1888. Col. John M. Richardson met his death on May 1, 1889, finally at peace. Together, they rest eternally in Park Cemetery, Jasper County, Missouri.

Written by Jeanette Shiel

Muster Record Jan. 24, 1862	Letter to Col. Chester H April 21, 1862	Special Orders, No. 14 June 16, 1862

Researcher of Col. John M. Richardson.
Jeanette Shiel

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