Transcribed from the Wellsville Daily Reporter, June 21, 1904.
D. P. RICHARDSON
Passed Away Suddenly At Angelica This Morning From Heart Problem
Special to The Reporter.
Angelica, June 21––This village was greatly shocked this morning at the news of the sudden death of Hon. David P Richardson at his home about 5 o'clock today. He had not been ill, but was suffering from heart trouble and last evening was taken with a bad spell, though it was not believed to be serious.
During the evening Mr. Richardson somewhat recovered and at the receipt of the news that his nephew, Starr Hanford Lloyd, had been successful in the prize speaking contest at the library appeared very much delighted. Shortly before 5 o'clock this morning Mrs. Richardson noticed his condition and endeavored to arouse him, but could not and he passed away before a physician arrived.
Deceased leaves a wife and three sons. Ransom, the well-known lawyer of Fillmore, N.Y.; Harry, in Buffalo; and Walter, also a practicing lawyer in Buffalo.
The funeral has not been announced but will undoubtedly be held Thursday, with the Rev. David Craft, pastor of the Presbyterian Church officiating. Deceased was a member of St. John's Commandery at Olean and possibly a Masonic funeral will be held.
David B Richardson was born at Macedon, Wayne County, N. Y., May 28, 1833. He was a student at the Academy at Macedon Center and later at Yale where he graduated in the class of 1856 with Judge Martin Grover and Hon. Chauncey M. Depew. Soon after he left college, in connection with Rev. Samuel Center, who was principal, he acted as first assistant the first year of school at the Angelica Academy. He succeeded Mr. Center as principal. He was admitted to the bar in 1859, having pursued his studies with Judge Martin Grover. At the outbreak of the Rebellion, Mr. Richardson raised a company of volunteers and joined the 6th N.Y. Cavalry with which regiment he served over three years on the status of Gens. Stoneman, Pleasanton and Deven. After the war Captain Richardson returned to Angelica where he has since resided always as a prominent citizen, loyal Republican and successful lawyer. He was supervisor of the town of Angelica in 1870, [187?] and 1875. The last year chairman of the Board.
Mr. Richardson represented this district in the 46th and 47th Congresses with distinction. He was for years the senior member of the law firm of Richardson Flanigan & Smith, his partners being delayed Chas. N. Flanagan and Frank S. Smith. Later he was associated with Fred A. Robbins now of Hornellsville. He has always been prominent in legal circles.
Transcribed from the Belmont Dispatch, June 24, 1904.
HON D P RICHARDSON
Death of Prominent Alleganian at Angelica
Passed Suddenly Away About Five O'clock Tuesday Morning – Held Numerous Public Offices and was a Leader in Allegany Politics
In the death of D. P. Richardson of Angelica, which occurred early Tuesday morning, there has passed away one who has served Allegany County and this congress district in many ways, lawyer soldier, supervisor and congressman, He has always been a prominent factor in legal and political circles.
David P Richardson was born at Macedon, Wayne County, N.Y. in [1833]. He attended the Macedon academy and was a graduate of Yale college. He located to Angelica in 1856, taught school and studied law. He was admitted to the bar in [1859]. At the opening of the rebellion he raised a company joined the Sixth New York Cavalry. He was promoted to major and served on the staffs of General Stoneman, Pleasanton and Daven, being honorably discharged at the close of the war. He returned to Angelica and resumed the practice of his profession with success and profit. Becoming interested in politics he was recognized as one of the leading spirits of Angelica organization and eventually was looked upon as one of the big four of that crowd, who controlled the Republican politics of Allegany for years. Mr. Richardson was a member of the Forty sixth and Forty-seventh congresses and a commanding figure in the deliberations of those bodies. He was a supervisor of his Town three years and the last of his service on the board was made chairman of the body.
His death came suddenly about 5 o'clock Tuesday morning. He had not been ill but overwork had caused heart trouble and general poor health. Deceased leaves a wife and three sons Ransom, the well-known lawyer of Fillmore N.Y., Harry in Buffalo, and Walter, also a practicing lawyer of Buffalo.
At 2 o'clock Thursday afternoon funeral services were held at the house, conducted by Rev. David Craft of the Angelica Presbyterian church of which Mr. Richardson was a member.
Mr. Richardson was a member of Melrose Lodge F. & A. M. of Angelica, of Genesee Chapter R. A. M. of Belfast, and the St. John’s Commandery of Olean. He was also a member of the local G.A .R.
*image from the book "Public Men of To-Day", 1882; Phineas Camp Headley, author.
See also: A Brief Biography of David P. Richardson