William N. Richardson
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| William Nicholas Richardson | |
|
|
|
| In office August 6, 1900 – March 31, 1914 |
|
| Preceded by | Joseph Wheeler |
|---|---|
|
|
|
| Born | May 8, 1839 Athens, Limestone County, Alabama |
| Died | March 31, 1914 (aged 74) Atlantic City, New Jersey |
| Nationality |  United States |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse | Elizabeth Rucker |
| Profession | Attorney |
William Nicholas Richardson (May 8, 1839 - March 31, 1914) was an American politician and lawyer. Born in Huntsville, Alabama to William Richardson and Anne Davis, Richardson served in the Civil War, fighting for the Confederacy.
Contents |
[edit] Civil War
Richardson was wounded in the battle of Shiloh and was taken prisoner. He escaped from prison, was caught, and about to be shot as a spy at Murfreesboro when "on the morning air there came to our ears with heartfelt welcome the famous rebel yell," and General Forrest with his "critter company" rescued him. This account is given in Andrew Nelson Lytle's Bedford Forrest and His Horse Critters. William then joined Company E of the 50th Alabama Infantry Regiment, and was again wounded at Chickamauga. He was paroled in April 1865 in Marietta, Georgia.[1]
[edit] Political office
After the war, Richardson returned to Madison County and served in the Alabama House of Representatives between 1865 and 1867 from that district. He studied law and was admitted to the bar at Huntsville in 1867. Between 1875 and 1886, he served as judge of the probate and county courts of Madison County. Richardson played a major role in the election of George Smith Houston as governor the next year. He was a delegate to the Democratic National Convention in 1904.
He was elected as a Democrat to the Fifty-sixth congress to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of Joseph Wheeler. He was reelected to the Fifty-seventh and to the six succeeding Congresses. He served until his death.[2]
[edit] Personal life
Richardson married his cousin, Elizabeth Rucker, of Lynchburg, Virginia in 1872, and they were the parents of five children.
 |
This article's section called "Personal Life" needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this article by adding reliable references. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. (August 2006) |
Richardson was often troublesome to the Union victors after the Civil War. He was wanted by the North, but was never caught. Once, he tarred and feathered a Union carpetbagger, tied him to his horse, and dragged him through the streets of Huntsville.[citation needed] He later ran to a cave and hid for about a year.[citation needed] Soon after, he was elected to the House.
Richardson was also very large. He was considered a giant by many people of the time period. Portraits of him exist which depict him seated on a large horse with his feet nearly touching the ground. Though his actual height was never recorded, he was said to be somewhere between 6' 9" and 7' 2".[citation needed]
Richardson died on March 31, 1914 in Atlantic City, New Jersey, where he had gone for his health, and is buried in Maple Hill Cemetery in Huntsville.[3]
[edit] Notes
- ^ "The Lure and Lore of Limestone County," by Chris Edwards and Faye Axford, (Tuscaloosa, AL: Limestone County Historical Society, 1978), page 11; "To Lochaber Na Mair": Southerners View the Civil War," (Athens, AL: Athens Publishing Co., 1986), Page 214n.
- ^ "Biographical directory of the United States Congress."
- ^ Congressional Biography.
[edit] References
- William N. Richardson at the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress Retrieved on 2008-02-14
- Kestenbaum, Lawrence. The Political Graveyard. Accessed December 5, 2006.
This article incorporates facts obtained from the public domain Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.
[edit] External links
- William N. Richardson at Find A Grave Retrieved on 2008-02-14
