Name John Edward Richards

• Birth Nov 22 1845 Annsville, Onieda, New York to Mr. and Mrs. William Richards.

• The 1860 census shows that John was 14, male, white, born in New York, and attended school in the census year.July 16 1860   Rome, Oneida, New York, United States

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• John joined the Union services as a drummer boy at young age (18). His father, William Richards, signed a consent of case of minor form for John to join Army Jan 4 1864 (Annsville, Oneida, New York) and John signed a declaration of recruit to join the army with his mark Jan 4 1864 - Lee, Oneida, New York, United States

• His signed volunteer enlistment stated that he has blue eyes, brown hair, fair complexion, is 5'7" high Jan 4 1864 - Lee, Oneida, New York, United States

 

• Notation from 113th Infantry Regiment, 7th Artillery (Headstone indicates Co H & K N.Y. Heavy Artillery, so not 100% sure this is the correct regiment)

Unit Muster for 113th Infantry Regiment:

• R I C H A R D S , J O H N . — Age, date and place of enlistment or muster in as private, Co. I, not stated; borne only on regimental return for October, 1864, and as " gained from missing in action",

My Heritage Website findings list the following:

• October 23, 1864, to duty from hospital. He was admitted into the hospital from the field with a diagnosis of diarrhea (chronic) May 29 1864 was absent from company muster roll From July 1864 To Aug 1864.

He was transferred to Co F Sep 29 1865 -   Washington, D. C.
Military Service From Jan 4 1864 To Sep 29 1865

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It has been suggested that he was with General Meade at Appomattox Court House at General Lee's surrender, however, research indicates that Meade was not at Appomattox for the surrender:

• "After his successes during the battles, Grant asked for Meade to be promoted to major general, and it was permitted. Although he had served well under Grant for the last year of the war, he was not present at the surrender of Lee's army in Appomattox, and was largely overshadowed by Grant."

 

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• Marriage to: Maria Anna Richards (born Thurston) Oct 29 1868 - Columbus, Columbia, Wisconsin

• The 1870 census shows John and Maria living in Columbus, Columbia, Wisconsin

• The 1880 census shows that John E. was white, male, 34, married, farmer, born in New York, father born in New York, and mother born in New York. June 16 1880, Calamus, Dodge, Wisconsin. Children: Ida Jane, 1871; Samuel, 1876; William, 1879

• By the 1890's, the family added Nellie, 1883 and John Franklin, 1890, and Earl Vernon, 1893. While Nellie was born in Wisconsin, both John Franklin and Earl Vernon show their birth as Everly, Clay County, Iowa.

• Religion documented as a member of Church of England on Jan 1 1895, Lone Tree, Clay, Iowa

• 1895 Census lists John as a farmer (Jan 1 1895 - Lone Tree, Clay, Iowa)

• The 1900 census shows that John was head of household, white, male, born Nov. 1845, 54, married for 30 years, born in New York, father born in Wales, mother born in Wales, farmer, can read, write, and speak English, owned his farm with a mortgage June 30 1900 - Lone Tree, Clay, Iowa

• The 1910 census for White, Brookings, South Dakota, United States, shows that John was head of household, white, male, 64, married for 40 years, born in New York, father born in Wales England, mother born in Wales England, spoke English, no occupation, able to read and write, owned his house free of mortgage - May 10 1910. 

• Death Nov 21 1918 - White, Brookings, South Dakota, United States

• Burial Nov 24 1918 - Fairview Cemetery, White, Brookings, South Dakota