Edward Wilson Richards

Richards-Jessen residence, 530 Lawrence Street ¹

        RICHARDS – In the town of Lake Charles, at the residence of Mrs. Albert Jessen, on Monday, February 17, 1885, at 7 o'clock a. m., Edward Wilson Richards, aged 47, 11 months and 17 days.
        The deceased was born in Maine, in 1839, and at an early age being left an orphan, entered on the perils and dangers at a sailor's life, which he followed until the age of 22. He then went to South Carolina and had the honor of boring the first artesian well in the city of Charleston.
        When the war commenced he was living in Clinton, DeWitt County, Texas, and at once joined the army as a Confederate soldier, was first a lieutenant, then captain in Sibley's Brigade, with whom he fought until its close.
        In 1867 he opened a lumber business in Lockport, Texas, and in 1869 married Emma, the fifth daughter of Capt. Daniel Goos, of Lake Charles, and has for fifteen years proved a most devoted husband and father, living in several different places and making friends wherever he went, finally settling in New Mexico, where he became interested in the mining business, and, from being exposed to the severe weather there, contracted the disease from which he died.
        His sufferings during his illness were great, but he bore them with Christian resignation, and gave evidence that his peace was made with God. He leaves a beloved wife and five children to mourn his loss, but their sorrow is somewhat alleviated by knowing that his sufferings are over and that he is now at rest.

"Safe landed on that peaceful shore,
Where Christians meet to part no more."

¹ Jones, Mike. One of city's oldest residences receives restoration face-lift. Lake Charles American Press, October 19, 2003, p. B1.

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