Biography - Louis P. A. Richard
LOUIS P. A. RICHARD, house, sign, and decorative painter, of Greenfield, was
born in Havre, France, June 17th 1831. His father, William Richard, was a
shoemaker by trade, and had a large and lucrative business at Havre. When
Louis was only five years of age, his father emigrated with his family to
America, landing at Baltimore, where Louis attended school for five years.
An older brother, living at Baltimore, was secretary for Rev. Mr.
Breckinridge, a Presbyterian clergyman. When he was about twelve years of
age, Mr. Richard's parents returned to Europe, again residing in Havre.
Until he was twenty-four years of age, the subject of this sketch worked in
various localities, part of the time as an overseer of flax works, and also
as a painter of furniture. He then removed to New Orleans, where he finished
his course of education as a practical painter. He has been employed in
nearly all the leading cities of the South and West. He carried on a large
establishment at Jerseyville for three years, and in 1867 came to
Greenfield, where he immediately commenced his labors. In October of the
same year he was married to Mrs. Sarah Shepard, daughter of Mr. Gililland,
an old resident of the county.
Mr. Richard was in the Union army for four years and six days – two years as
a member of the 14th Illinois, Colonel Palmer's regiment, and the remaining
portion of the time he served in the16th Kansas.
Extracted 07 Sep 2018 by Norma Hass from Atlas Map of Greene County Illinois, 1873, page 46.
