This is the only John A Richards I find in Maine in the 1880 Census. Maybe it's him and he left another family before he went to California? 1880 Census Place: Farmington, Franklin, Maine Source: FHL Film 1254479 National Archives Film T9-0479 Page 418D Relation Sex Marr Race Age Birthplace John A. RICHARDS Self M M W 50 ME Fa: ME Mo: ME Sophronia RICHARDS Wife F M W 49 ME Occ: Keeping House Fa: ME Mo: ME Edmund R. RICHARDS Son M S W 22 ME Occ: Attending School Fa: ME Mo: ME Elmer E. RICHARDS Son M S W 19 ME Occ: Attending School Fa: ME Mo: ME Effie M. RICHARDS Dau F S W 14 ME Fa: ME Mo: ME Frank M. RICHARDS Son M S W 11 ME Fa: ME Mo: ME Susan E. COLLINS Other F S W 18 ME Occ: Servant Fa: ME Mo: ME Edith B. OTIS Other F S W 18 CA Occ: Attending School Fa: ME Mo: SCOTLAND