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Shadrach Montgomery Richardson

  Shadrach Montgomery Richardson was born March 11, 1848, in Keg Creek, Iowa. He was the son of Shadrach and Lavina Stewart Richardson. He came to Utah with his parents and one brother William Wilshire Richardson, arriving in Payson, Utah, in September, 1852. His mother died in December of the same year and her grave was about the first in Payson City cemetery. About the only recollection he had of his mother was when they were camped in Echo canyon on the Pioneer trail she walked with him up to a place called Echo cave. He was then only four years old.

  He grew to early manhood in Payson, played with his companions, herded cattle in the canyons and had many interesting experiences. He had to go barefooted most of the time, as did the other children. He tells the story of going coasting barefooted, using a board and coasting until it would get cold and then running home to warm the board and his feet again. When he was in his teens he spent a great deal of time herding stock in the Tintic Valley with Ammon Nebeker. He helped haul the rock from Cottonwood Canyon for the building of the Salt Lake Temple.

  He was one of the home guards in the Black Hawk Indian War in 1866.  At the age of 21 he moved with his father and brothers to Benjamin. On May 30, 1875, he was married to Keturah Hand at Benjamin, his uncle Franklin Stewart performing the ceremony. Two weeks later they went to the Endowment House in Salt Lake City and had their endowments and were sealed for time and eternity. They lived with his father until their little home was completed. Their home was used for a school house and church for a number of years. He helped to build the first school house and a number of other buildings in Benjamin at that time. These buildings were all made of adobe.

  He was school trustee for twelve years, spending much time in improving educational conditions during that time. Later he learned surveying from his Uncle Andrew Jackson Stewart. Having had no chance to attend school very much when he was young, he made use of every opportunity of learning through books and his association with other people. He was appointed Deputy U. S. Surveyor in 1883 which position he held for five years. He surveyed and made maps of Garfield and Millard counties. He also surveyed most of the land in Benjamin, Lake Shore, Palmyra, Spanish Fork and Payson in Utah. Due to ill health he was not able to continue surveying until his sons were old enough to learn the profession and take over his work, a thing which he regretted very much.

  He was never too busy to stop his work and help anyone who needed his help in any way. He surveyed and made a plat of Benjamin cemetery and and acted as sexton as long as he was able. He was Justice of the Peace for twelve years and Constable for a number of years.  During all his public work he received little or no recompense for his labors but that did not stop him from spending all the time he could for community welfare. He was one who believed and lived the commandment, "Love Thy Neighbor as Thyself." He always enjoyed a good joke and always had a good story to tell to fit every occasion. He was always congenial and made friends wherever he was.

  When the Benjamin ward was organized he was chosen second counselor to Bishop A. J. B. Stewart, later first counselor when Orange Warner moved away, holding that office until 1900. During that time a church was built and he with others spent much of their time and means in completing the building, almost depriving their families of the necessities of life to do so. It was never too cold in the winter or too hot in the summer for him and Bishop

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  Stewart and Orange Warner to go to Provo, a distance of 20 miles, to attend their Priesthood meetings, often walking when no other way was available.

  When Nebo Stake was organized he was chosen as a High Counselman which position he held as long as his health permitted. He also acted as home missionary during this time.

  He was very energetic and studious, always reading when not working. He did not care to go out evenings, prefering to take his recreation with his books. He was a subscriber to all the church magazines. He was loved and respected by all who knew him for his honesty and integrity. In January, 1917, he was Stricken with paralysis which left him unable to work. They sold their farm and moved to Payson.  Shadrach passed away on March 5, 1928, and was buried in the Benjamin cemetery on March 8, 1928.  His wife, Keturah Hand Richardson, died October 26, 1926, and was buried in the Benjamin cemetery.

  This worthy couple left seven living children, five having died in childhood. Their names and addresses are as follows:

  Adaline R. Hone, husband William Hone, Pleasant Grove, Utah; Delilah R. Fugal, husband C. A. Fugal, Pleasant Grove, Utah; Nellie Schaerrer, husband John H. Schaerrer, Payson, Utah; Ivy R. Francom, husband J. A. Francom, Payson, Utah; Joseph W. Richardson, wife Ruby Sabin, Payson, Utah; Teressa R. Loveless, husband M. H. Loveless, Payson, Utah; Orion F. Richardson, wife Beatrice Corbell, Payson, Utah. On February 1, 1940, their descendants numbered 39 grandchildren and 33 great grandchildren.

Shadrach Montgomery and Keturah H. Richardson.

Shadrach Montgomery Richardson Family.

  Front row, Joseph W. Richardson, Adaline R. Hone, Orion F. Richardson; back row, Nellie R. Schaerrer, Delilah R. Fugal, Teressa R. Loveless, Ivy R. Francom.

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Richardson, Shadrach M. (son of Shadrach Richardson and Lavina Stewart).  Born March 11, 1848, in Mills Co., Iowa.

  Married Keturah Hand June 14, 1875, Salt Lake city (daughter of James Hand and Sarah Simpkins).  Born Dec. 11, 1858, Yorkshire, Eng.  Their children:  Shadrach W., b. April 13, 1876; george M. b. Dec 12, 1877; James I. b. Jan 26, 1880; Sarah K. b. June 7, 1882; Adaline b. Aug. 12, 1884, J.H. Schaerrer Feb. 14, 1906; Ivy b. May 7, 1889, m. J. A. Francorm March 15, 1911; Lexia b. Nov. 16, 1891; Delilah b. March 18, 1893, m. C. A. Fugal June 21, 1911; Joseph Woodruff b. Aug 26, 1896; Teresa b. June 22, 1899; Orion Franklin b. Nov. 5, 1901.  Family home Benjamin, Utah.

  Elder 1875; high priest; alternate high councilor, Nebo stake.  Constable Benjamin precinct, Utah county, one term; justice of peace three terms; appointed U.S. deputy surveyor June 15, 1883.

--Frank Esshom, Pioneers and Prominent Men of Utah, 1913, p.1131.

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