John, This reply is also a long shot as I have been trying to trace my g-grandfather Thomas Richardson with no luck for quite some time. My Thomas Richardson appears in the Schuylkill County PA census of 1890 with his age listed as 31 so his age works with your person. Allegorical records indicate that he arrived in the early 1880s. He worked on the railroad in several locations as a trainman and as a conductor until his death in 1931. He was married to Susanna Griffith His children's names were Kathryn, Myles, Mary, Ethel, Gwendolyn, Myra, and Marcella. I mention these in case any were named after earlier relatives. If you think there is a chance of a connection I would certainly be interested in any more information you might have.