Richards - William J. - Major - CW
Source: Indianapolis Star (there is a photo of him too – quite dapper) 26 March 1918
Death yesterday Maj. Wm J Richard Civil War vet – linked with Indianapolis newspapers. 78 years old. 1st Assoc editor of Lafayette Journal – worked for Laf News – Indianapolis Press – many years pres of Boys Club – Vice commander of Indiana Loyal Legion; Born Owen Co IN May 15, 1840 Maj Richards was educated at Waveland Collegiate Institute which after was merged with Wabash College from which he grad in 1861. Studied law – Co H 38th Vol Inf – long genealogy of Richards family dates back before Edward III of England – marr Mary Alice Hoover d/o Alex & Melinda Hoover – she died a few years ago – he was the 3rd of 10 children – Joseph 5 years younger became general attorney of Missouri Pacific – Wallace 5 years older died age 28 while in the quartermaster dept during Civil war – son Hugh R – grandson Wm Wallace Richards; two sisters, Mrs. Wm Allison of NY and Mrs. RS Hamilton of Roswell NM and two brothers Charles and Joseph H (Ft Scott Ks) Charles Iola, KS.
Source: Indianapolis News Mon 23 Dec 1968 p 13
“Major Richards’ - Rise on News Rapid by Wayne Guthrie”
Maj. William J. Richards who was with The News from 1876-1901 and who was both business and part owner during most of those later years left his mark on not only this paper but on the national newspaper publishing field. He helped organize the American Newspaper Publishers Association which had its formal beginning at a meeting in Rochester, NY on Feb 16, 1887 where he and 25 other men became charter members. He was leading figure at the group’s second national convention the following year. When he came to The News, he had behind him several years in the newspaper field. That included his first service on the old Lafayette Journal followed by responsible positions on three other Indianapolis papers. His rise on The News was rapid and before long he became business manager, which post he held throughout his remaining years on this paper. In 1890 he became owner of a minor share. Maj. Richards remained on with The News as business manager and as minor owner several years after its founder, John H. Holliday, prompted by fear of his health sold it in 1892. Purchaser of the major ownership was William Henry Smith who took no hand in the paper’s management. That fell to his son-in-law, Charles R. Williams, purchaser of a minor share and editor-in-chief. Then in 1899 Maj. Richards joined Holliday, who had regained his health in the meantime in found the Indianapolis Press. That venture lasted only a year and a half when it was absorbed by the News. In 1896, while with the News, Maj. Richards realized the newspaper was not housed properly. He looked in this country and abroad for a model on which to plan a building. The result was the construction of a fireproof building where the mechanical plant could be housed. Following absorption of The Press by The news, Maj. Richards was for many years with the old Union National Bank which later was merged with the old National City Bank. He was interested several years in the management of the Old Technical Institute. For many years he was president of the Boys Club. Late in life he suffered a hip fracture in a fall and was confined to his home, Glen Ethel, northeast of the city for some time before being removed to what then was known as the Marion (Ind) branch of the National Military Home, now part of the US Veterans Administration’s hospital system. There he remained two years before coming back to Indianapolis. Three weeks later, March 25, 1918, he died at the Indianapolis home of his son, Hugh R. Richards, at 77. A veteran of the Civil War, Maj. Richards was born in Owen County May 15, 1840. He attended the old Waveland Collegiate Academy which later merged with Wabash College. He was graduated from the latter in 1861. He began the study of law but dropped that when the Civil War started, enlisting as a private in Co H, 38th Indiana Volunteer Infantry. His promotion in succession to 2nd Lt, 1st Lt, and Capt. was rapid. He was attached to the Army of the Cumberland and was in all its battles. During the Chickamauga campaign and battle he was on the staff of Maj. Gen. A. McD. McCook, commander of the 20th Corps, as corps provost marshall and commander of the general’s escort. Information garnered in this tour of duty was the substance of a paper, “Rosecrans and the Chickamauga Campaign,” which he subsequently read to the Indiana Commandery of the Loyal Legion, of which he at one time was vice-commander. - kbz
