A Narrative History of The People of Iowa with SPECIAL TREATMENT OF THEIR CHIEF ENTERPRISES IN EDUCATION, RELIGION, VALOR, INDUSTRY, BUSINESS, ETC. by EDGAR RUBEY HARLAN, LL. B., A. M. Curator of the Historical, Memorial and Art Department of Iowa Volume IV THE AMERICAN HISTORICAL SOCIETY, Inc. Chicago and New York 1931 EMMETT E. RICHARDS, M. D. The medical profession of Fremont County numbered among its members no more capable or learned physician and surgeon than Dr. Emmett E. Richards, who had been engaged in practice at Hamburg for more than two decades, and died August 10, 1929. During the time he spent in practice at Hamburg he not only built up a reputation for splendid talent along professional lines, but also as a citizen of public spirit, who accepted and discharged official responsibilities in a highly capable and commendable manner. Doctor Richards was born on a farm in Atchison County, Missouri, December 11, 1870, and was a son of John and Elizabeth (Hayes) Richards. John Richards was born in Ohio, where he secured an excellent education for his day, and became a pioneer of Missouri in 1856, arriving in that state with only seventy-five cents in cash. He soon found employment as a teacher in the primitive rural schools, and was thus engaged for several years, then turned his attention to farming. During the war between the states he espoused the cause of the Union and served as a member of the Home Guard, and at the close of the struggle laid down the arms of war to take up again the implements of peace. For many years he was leading agriculturist of Atchison County, where he developed a highly cultivated farm and raised grain and cattle, at his death leaving an estate of about 100,000, including the old home place, which is owned by four of his children. Mr. Richards was not only prominent as an agriculturist, but as a man who was active and capable in public affairs. For nearly a quarter of a century he was president of the local board of supervisors, and in addition served as chairman of the Democratic county committee for a long term. He married in Atchinson County Miss Elizabeth Hayes, who was born in Indiana and was one year old when taken by her parents to Missouri. She was a member of the Christian Church, and, like her husband, passed away in Atchison County, greatly honored and respected by all who knew their many sterling qualities of mind and heart. Of their ten children nine are living, and Emmett E. was the fourth child in order of birth. As an example of the progressive spirit of John Richards it may be noted that in 1874 he brought into Missouri the first alfalfa seed that ever came over the Rocky Mountains. Emmett E. Richards attended the local schools of his native community, the Western Normal School at Shenandoah and Dixon (Illinois) College, and then entered Washington University, of Saint Louis, Missouri, from which he was graduated with the degree of Doctor of Medicine as a member of the class of 1898. He served his interneship in the City Hospital at Saint Louis, and commenced the practice of his profession at Tarkio, Atchison County, Missouri, remaining ten years. In March, 1909, he took up his residence at Hamburg, Iowa, where he built up an extensive and remunerative practice. Doctor Richards won a substantial position in his profession through hard work, close application and steady development of accumulative knowledge and talent. He was a close student of his profession, and his offices contained a large and comprehensive medical library and all of the implements known to modern medical and surgical science. He was a specialist in no one line, as he was familiar with all departments of his science, and was a member of the Fremont Medical Society, the Iowa State Medical Society and the American Medical Association. A Democrat in politics, he bore his full share of the duties of citizenship, and served as mayor of Hamburg for three terms and as a member of the school board for twelve years. He was always interested in farming, and was the owner of a valuable and highly-improved property located in Union County, Iowa. He was a York Rite Mason and Shriner and with his family belonged to the Christian Church. On June 28, 1899, Doctor Richards was united in marriage with Miss Bessie Carpenter, who was born in Atchison County, Missouri, and educated at Peru, Nebraska, and was a teacher in the public schools prior to her marriage. To this union there have been born two children: Mary Elizabeth, who has been well educated; and Charlotte Louise, who graduated from the Hamburg High School as valedictorian of the class of 1929. Debbie Clough Gerischer Iowa History Project _http://iagenweb.org/history/_ (http://iagenweb.org/history/) Scott County, Iowa _http://www.celticcousins.net/scott/index.htm_ (http://www.celticcousins.net/scott/index.htm) **************A Good Credit Score is 700 or Above. See yours in just 2 easy steps! (http://pr.atwola.com/promoclk/100000075x1215855013x1201028747/aol?redir=http://www.freecreditreport.com/pm/default.aspx?sc=668072%26hmpgID=62%26bcd=De cemailfooterNO62)