J. B. Tye
Decatur County Journal-Iowa
Thursday, February 22, l9l7
Monday evening of last week quite a number of the friends of MR. and MRS. ROYAL RICHARDSON gathered at their home in Pleasanton to help celebrate the birthday anniversary of MR. RICHARDSON, who had arrived at the age of 90 years, February l2.They were completely surprised but were equal to the occasion and soon had the guests feeling at home.One incident of the evening was the signing of a birthday book by all present.MR. and MRS. RICHARDSON signed at the head of the list.It is quite remarkable that MRS. RICHARDSON can write and read without the aid of glasses as she will be 89 years of age in June.
MR. and MRS. RICHARDSON came to Iowa in l856 and located in Pleasanton where they have since resided.MR. RICHARDSON was instrumental in securing the railroad through here, in securing the town incorporation and our independent school district, in fact it has been one of his greatest pleasures to build up the town, not sparing time nor money to accomplish this.He was Postmaster here for eighteen years and served as Mayor for about thirty years.He was a United States Marshal for four years, and it was through his efforts that a gang of counterfeiters were captured and punished.To accomplish this he spent a great deal of time and about $350 without asking any remuneration from the government.He was also owner of the first Bank in Pleasanton.
After partaking of refreshments and visiting with them a short time, the guests bade MR. and MRS. RICHARDSON goodnight and departed for their respective homes wishing them many returns of the day.
Those present were Messrs. and Mesdames J.B. Tye, C.E. Morey, W.F. Horn, S.A. Edwards, J.N. Painter, W. Branaum, G.E. Davis, M.M. Turpin, Ora Hagan, S.A. Moore, Fred Killilay, J.H. Moore, Otto Hutchinson, H.M. Coulter, O.G. Hutchinson, F.T. Smith, Ed K. McDowell; Mesdames Lora M. Youngs, Neva Bennett, F. Landphair, Minnie Colburn, N. Mitchell, C. Stratton, F.M. Huston, Maria Swift, Emma Elmore, E.C. Hollister; and Messrs. Chas. Thorp, Grover Tye, Geo. Yost, W.M. Graham, and the Misses Beulah Tye, Lois Moore, and Esther Elmore.