Richmond, John, Oxford township; merchant and farmer; post office, Evansburgh, Ohio; son of Edward and Martha (Nott) Richmond; was born March 1, 1817, in Salina, New York. He came to this state with his parents in 1822 and located in Morgan county. His parents formerly came from Vermont. While in Salina his father was engaged in the salt trade. He also sold goods. After they came to Morgan county he was engaged in the carpenter trade. Mr. Richmond came to this county with his parents in June 1824, and located on the banks of the Walhonding six miles above Roscoe. In 1826, they moved to Roscoe. Mr. Richmond's father was engaged as a stone-cutter, and boarded hands engaged in the construction of the Walhonding canal. In June, 1828 the family moved to Oxford township and engaged in the building of the Ohio canal. Mrs. Richmond's mother died in March, 1829. His father kept tavern and a station on the Ohio canal from that time up to his death in 1846.

Mrs. Richmond was married March 3, 1836 to Miss Elizabeth Reed, of this county. They became the parents of six children, viz: Catherine A., George U., John E., Mary E., James J. and William H. Mr. Richmond had followed boating from his boyhood until he married. He then purchased a boat and followed boating for fifteen years During that time he was also engaged in the dry goods and grain business. In April 1850, Mr. Richmond started on an overland journey to California, as captain of a company of fifteen men. They were on the road four months and fifteen days. While in California he was engaged in mining and trading. He returned by vessel July 5, 1852, via Panama. Mrs. Richmond died in February 1852. He married November 28, 1852 Miss Elizabeth Higbee, daughter of J. C. Higbee, Esq. They became the parents of five children, Viz: Elizabeth N., Jesse F., Charles H., Francis A., and Lottie C. His wife died in June 1864. His third marriage took place in January 1865 to Mary J. McClain, of this county. Mr. Richmond has been engaged in farming and mercantile business. He has amassed a fortune. Staring in the world a poor boy, meeting reverses after reverses, he nevertheless by his own honest labor accumulated a fortune. He has always worked hard, and has been regarded as honest and upright in his dealings, thereby gaining the esteem of all who knew him. He operates largely in grain and wool. He owns a splendid farm of over 600 acres, a dry goods store, a ware-house, and town property in the town of Orange. Mr. Richmond had two sons who served In he rebellion. James J. was a member of Company C., Fifty-first Regiment, O. V. I. He died at Green Lake, Texas and was buried there. John E. was a member of Company H. Eighty-Eighth Regiment, O.V. I. He served three months, and was then discharged on account of sickness.

SOURCE: History of Coshocton County, Ohio 1740-1881- Biographical Sketches. p-774
 

Submitted by: Dale & Muriel White