“Roderick J. Richardson, son of Roderick and Harriet Emeline (Taylor) Richardson, was born in Waitsfield, Vt., May 30, 1840, and died in Los Angeles, Cal., November 25, 1909. In 1855, his parents removed to Montpelier, Vt., where he prepared for college. He entered the University in 1858, and remained until 1961, nearly completing the Scientific Course; was a member of the A E II Fraternity and the Parthenon Society.
He was appointed assistant paymaster United States Navy, in September, 1861, was captured on the U.S.S., Harriet Lane, January 1, 1863, by the Confederates, under the command of Maj. Otis M. Marsh, ’42; was promoted paymaster, September 3, 1863, and served on the U.S.S., Wabash, resigned his commission October 17, 1864.
He served as cashier of the First National Bank of Montpeiler from 1864 until 1868, when he removed to Boston and engaged in the grain business with Mr. John S. Ware, until 1870. In this last year, Mr. Ware retired from the firm and Mr. Richardson’s two brothers Dan E. and Roderick Davis became associated with him under the firm name of Richardson & Co. They continued in the same business, greatly enlarging it, and in 1880, moved their headquarters to Chicago, continuing their Boston office. Their business increased to very large dimensions until they covered with their agents the whole grain section from Manitoba to Texas and exported immense quantities of England and the Continent from the ports of Galveston, Baltimore, New York, Boston and Montreal.
In 1905, he retired from business and located in Los Angeles, Cal., where he made his home until his death. He was a man of great business capacity, honest and upright in all his dealings. He was successful in very large transactions and acquired a large property. He was a man of whom it could be truly said, ‘His word was as good as his bond.’ He was a member of the Massachusetts Commandery of the Loyal Legion.
He was married three times: first, in 1865 to Addie Farry Ware; one child Roderick, born July 31, 1868, resides in Los Angeles, Cal. He was married the second time to Ellen Knight; no children. He was married the third time to Margarette M. Gleucke, who survives him and resides in Los Angeles, Cal.”
Source: Norwich University, 1819-1911: Her History, Her Graduated, Her Honor Roll, by William Arba Ellis, Vol. 2, The Capital City Press, Montpelier, Vermont, 1911, page 658.
