Lake Co, Fl Pioneers


William Herbert Richey



Leesburg Commercial, 28 July 1939, p. 6
GRANDCHILDREN OF SIX PIONEERS OF LAKE COUNTY UNVEIL PORTRAITS AND STATE TREASURER KNOTT LAUDS THEM
Few men have served a single county so long and so faithfully as WILLIAM HERBERT RICHEY, whose tragic death in an automobile accident seven months ago is still fresh in our memories. He served 20 years as a member of the board of county commissioners of Lake county, and for ten years as its chairman.
Born April 29, 1862, in Lowndes county, Miss., the son of William B. Richey, Confederate States army, and Lucy Jerdon Richey and educated in his native state. Mr. Richey moved to Leesburg in 1884, where he engaged in farming and fruit growing. He was active in the creation of Lake county, and was a pioneer advocate of good
roads in this county. He died on December 19, 1938, 17 days before a testimonial supper was to be given in honor of his long and distinguished services.
Mr. Richey was affectionately known to many as "Uncle Hub." He was a Methodist, an Odd Fellow, a Knight of Pythias and a Mason, being a Knight Templar aud a Shriner in that ancient order. Among other civic activities, he served as chairman of the school trustees of Leesburg and of the building committee which supervised the construction of the State Bank building in Leesburg and its Masonic temple.
Mr. Richey and his wife, who was Miss Leeuna Stuart of Leesburg, were the parents of 14 children, 11 of whom survived him: Mrs. Lucy McQuaig, Mrs. Alice Whitcomb, William H. Jr., Mrs. Myrtle Suddath, Mrs. Ruth Roberts, Mrs. Mary Carter, Edwin H., Mrs. Pearl Haines, Belle, Robert and Mrs. Josephine Roberts.
Less than a year has gone by since Mr. Richey left us and many years must pass before Lake county ceases to miss him.
Notes:
William Herbert Richey married Luria (sic) Stewart, 23 Dec 1886,Methodist Episcopal Church South, Leesburg, by L. Bishop. License date, Sumter County, 22 Dec 1886.
Myrtle R. Sudderth was a retired teacher.
William H. Richey, Jr., b. 6 Nov 1891, d. 12 Feb 1956; buried Hillcrest Cemetery, Leesburg. wife Irene, b. 1899.
Obit for Leeuna Stuart Richey
Leesburg Commercial, 20 Sep 1935, p. 1
FUNERAL OF MRS. RICHEY ATTENDED FROM ALL COUNTY.
HONOR TO BELOVED WOMAN WHOSE KINDLY WORKS REMAIN HERITAGE.
Sorrowing friends and admirers from every part of Lake county and from points much farther away gathered at the Methodist church here yesterday afternoon to attend the funeral service for Mrs. Louina Stuart Richey, wife of W. H. Richey. Rev. H. C. Hardin, pastor of the church of which she was a pioneer and devoted member, assisted by Rev. S. J. Johnston of the Presbyterian church, and Dr. D. E. Montgomery of the First Baptist church, conducted the impressive services, which reflected the great degree of love and esteem felt for the memory of this woman of long and devoted good works throughout the county.
Out of deference to the husband, chairman of the county board of commissioners, all the offices in the county court house with the exception of the sheriff, which never closes, were shut tight at 3:00 o'clock yesterday afternoon to enable the officials and their staffs to attend the service at 4:00 o'clock.
Mrs. Richey came to Leesburg from Kentucky half a century ago and two years after her arrival was united in marriage to W. H. Richey. To their union were born 14 children of whom 11 are living. Besides her husband, the survivors are three sons, W. H. Jr., E. H., and Robert W. Richey, all of Leesburg, and eight daughters, Mrs. Pearl Haines, Mrs. Josephine Robertson, Miss Belle Richey; Leesburg, Mrs. Lucy McQuaig and Mrs. Mary Carter of Montverde; Mrs. Alice Whitcomb, Lake Gem; Mrs. Ruth Roberts, Jacksonville, and Mrs. Myrtle Sudderth, Okahumpka. There are also 10 grandchildren and one great-grandchild.
Services at the cemetery yesterday were in the charge of the Eastern Star of which Mrs. Richey was an active member her many years. Pallbearers were Sam Casteen, H. L. Goodwin, Joe Butler, K. A. Ezell, J. Locke Williams and R. Parks Williams. Arrangements were in charge of the Page funeral home.
Obit for William Herbert Richey
Leesburg Commercial, 23 Dec 1938, p. 1 & 7
LAKE MOURNS AS THE BROKEN BODY OF COMMISSIONER RICHEY IS LAID AWAY.
BELOVED HEAD OF LAKE BOARD IS AUTO VICTIM
Funeral Here Wednesday Draws Great Crowd of His Friends.
Lake county's court house was closed, the county's flag was at half mast and a throng of citizens from every part of the county assembled in Leesburg at 3:00 o'clock, Wednesday afternoon to attend funeral services at the Morrison Memorial Methodist church for William Herbert Richey, Sr., chairman of the board of commissioners of Lake county whose tragic death Monday afternoon spread a pall of sorrow over the community.
Assisting the pastor, Rev. J. G. Stradley, who officiated, were Dr. D. E. Montgomery of the First Baptist, Rev. S. J. Johnston of the Presbyterian and Rev. Randolph F. Blackford of St. James Episcopal. Floral tributes taxed the church for space and covered the ground for yards around when placed about the grave in Lone Oak cemetery. At the cemetery the Masonic ritual was carried out and the members of this order sincerely mourned for Mr. Richey was one of their most beloved members. All arrangements were in the hands of Page funeral home. Active pallbearers were Major John L. Fahs, T. G. Futch, Sr., J. D. Manly, S. L. Kilgore, J. A. Gray, A. S. Herlong, Sr., Albert Bragdon and H. L. Goodwin. Honorary pallbearers were J. W. Hunter, A. S. Herlong, Jr., B. A. Williams, B. A. Cassady, Zera Giles, Karl Lehmann, D. H. Moore, Phillip Doss, George Dykes, Earl Myers, J. C. Lee, R. P. Barton, Dr. H. G. Holland, Dr. Clyde Bowie, H. K. Stokes, Manuel Sloan, H. H. Hethcox and Frank Owens.
Mr. Richey was born in Lowndes county, Mississippi, on April 29, 1862, and lived in that state until 1881 when he came to Florida and located at Leesburg, being one of the oldest residents of the community. At that time Leesburg was in Sumter county and when Lake was formed he was one of the participants in planning this county. In 1918 he was elected county commissioner and has served continuously since, being chairman more than half of that time, and the outstanding place this county has occupied in Florida history of the past two decades has been due in large part to the quiet but effective work he has accomplished for the county to which he devoted such a great part of his life.
Farming and grove culture were the lines followed by Mr. Richey throughout his life, although in later years he has left the management of these affairs largely to his capable sons. He unselfishly devoted nearly his entire time to the county's work even before there was any adequate pay allowed commissioners and he served with honor at all times.
In addition to serving the county as commissioner, Mr. Richey was one of the stalwart civic workers for his home town. He was a builder, associated with the late R. F. E. Cooke in the Leesburg State Bank, he helped plan and erect the present First National building. He was the prime mover in securing the funds with which to erect the Masonic Temple building and he gave its construction his personal attention, saving and conserving the funds through his familiarity with contractors and builders. As chairman of the local board of school trustees, he superintended the erection of one of the present school buildings in Leesburg. The county's highways are a monument to him and the resources of the county are better off by millions of dollars for his having lived and worked.
Occupying one of the most trying public positions that exist Mr. Richey combined diplomacy with determination to a degree seldom attained by any man. His quiet demeanor and deliberate manner countless times turned abuse into profitable discussion and he could glean bits of worthwhile information from the excited expostulations of citizens who felt themselves aggrieved. He was a modest winner and a cheerful loser, but when he lost he no more than got the bad news until he was planning an approach from a different angle and when he won he wasted no time in gloating, but went on into some other plan that meant something gained for his beloved county or district.
Besides his Masonic connection, Mr. Richey was a member of the Knights of Pythias and Odd Fellows and found time to attend their meetings. He was one of the first members of the original service club of Lake county, the Leesburg Kiwanis, and was an honorary member when he died.
Mrs. Richey, who was Miss Leeuna Stuart before their marriage here in Leesburg, preceded him in death several years but they had a long and mutually devoted life together. Fourteen children were born to them and 11 of them are still living. These are Misses Belle and Josephine, Mrs. Pearl Haines, Robert, Edwin and W. H. Jr., all of Leesburg; Mrs. Lucy McQuaig of Montverde, Mrs. Alice Whitcombe of Lake Jem, Mrs. Myrtle Suddath of Okahumpka, Mrs. Ruth Roberts of Jacksonville, and Mrs. Mary Carter of Montverde.
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William Herbert Richey born April 29, 1862, in Lowndes county, MS; died 19 Dec 1938, Leesburg
Leeuna Stuart born 9 Mar 1869, TN; died 17 Sep 1935, Leesburg
married Luria Stewart, 23 Dec 1886, Methodist Episcopal Church South, Leesburg, by L. Bishop. License date, Sumter County, 22 Dec 1886, Liber 3, p. 293.
Children:
Lucie Leeuna b. 13 Jul 1888, d. 27 Feb 1979 - Clermont, married 26 Mar 1911, Montverde, William Roscoe McQuaig (1888-1954)
Alice, b. 1 Jan 1890, d. Jun 1978, married 14 Aug 1911, Harry R. Whitcomb of Tangerine
William Herbert Jr., b. 6 Nov 1891, d. 12 Feb 1956; buried Hillcrest Cemetery, Leesburg. Frances Irene Richey, widow, and James H., Thomas E. and John A. Richey
Frances Irene, b. 12 Dec 1899 - Lakeland, d. 25 Aug 1992 - Leesburg.
James H. "Jim" b. 8 Jul 1921, d. 26 Jun 1993 - 2725 E. Richey Rd; wife Margaret E. "Dolly" Stevens, d. 12 Aug 1993, age 73; one child, Linda Sue b. 22 Aug 1940.
John A. b. 7 Aug 1924, d. 1 Jan 1987, wife Beth M., son Steve, and one daughter.
Thomas E. "Bud" b. 13 Feb 1930, d. Jan 1966; wife Betty J. by 1955.
John Claude 26 Jan 1894 - 15 Apr 1894
Myrtle R. b. 2 Jan 1895, d. 30 Apr 1967; married 19 Aug 1919 (Lake Co MB 4, p. 159, by W. M. Kennedy, notary public) David Hardy Sudderth, 25 May 1886-29 Nov 1943
Lester Stewart 10 Nov 1896 - 3 Dec 1914
Ruth, b. abt 1898-99, married Roberts; lived Jacksonville
Edwin Harvey b. 24 Nov 1900, d. 12 Jan 1966; game warden for state - lived Fruitland Park; m. 1st ca 1926, Mary Coyle b 1888, d 1946; 2d Nancy Irene "Darling", b. 1902, d. 13 Aug 1984, age 82; no Richey children.
Mary b. 2 Jan 1902, d. 18 Apr 1993 - Milton; bur Woodlawn Mem Pk, Orlando; married Carter
Pearl b. 9 Mar 1904, d. 24 Sep 1998 - Tavares, married Jewell H. "Toby" Haynes (22 Feb 99-14 Mar 1955); both buried Lone Oak; no children.
Belle, b. 12 Jun 1906, d. 4 Nov 1988, married 2 September 1943 in Bushnell, Sumter Co. to George H. Williams, MSGT, U.S. Air Force, WWII, Korea 1921 - 1977
Robert Wynne "Bob", b. 14 Aug 1907, d. 20 Apr 1999, wife Martha K., b. 10 May 1909, born El Paso, TX, d. 6 Sep 1994; no children mentioned in obit.
Robert Jr. b. 21 Apr 1936
Josephine b. 31 Jan 1910, d. 11 Feb 2002, married Roberts/Robertson, Rapael Campos; lived Stuart, FL.
Florence Edith 13 May 1912 - 28 Aug 1912


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David H. Sudderth, voter book 1, Leesburg, 13 Nov 1917, age
31, junk dealer.

Leesburg Commercial, Sunday, 5 Nov 1943, p. ? (forgot to check)
David H. Sudderth, 57, resident of this vicinity for over 25 years, died at his home early Sunday morning after an illness of several months. He was a salesman and fruit broker until ill health forced him to retire. He was a member of the Methodist Church and the Shrine. Survivors are his widow, Myrtle, one son, David of the U. S. Army, one daughter Mary Julia Sudderth, Clermont, one brother Max, Bradenton, and one sister, Mrs. F. C.
Hudson, Savannah.
Funeral services were held at the chapel of the Page Funeral Home Tuesday afternoon at 3:00 with the Rev. E. Watt Smith, officiating. Interment was in Lone Oak Cemetery. Pallbearers were Roy Ayers, Perry Butler, Walter Johnson, Ralph Pritchett, Glenn Gentry and Frank Gillespie.
Glorianne

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History of Lake County, Florida; 1929; Prof. William T. Kennedy,
Editor in Chief; Saint Augustine; The Record Company - Printers.
Part II - Biographical. pp. 279-280.
WILLIAM H. RICHEY.
WILLIAM H. RICHEY was born in Lowndes County, Miss., on April
29, 1862, a son of William B. and Lucy Jerdon Richey. His father
served in the Civil War, in a Mississippi Regiment, and rendered
valuable service to the Confederate cause.
After receiving a limited education in the schools of
Mississippi, Mr. Richey came to Leesburg, in 1884, at which time
the city was included in the limits of Sumter County. He is
therefore one of the oldest residents of what is now Lake County,
and his principal occupation during all the years he has resided
here has been farming and fruit growing, in which he has been
eminently successful.
Largely through his interest in the Good Roads movement, with
which he has been identified for the past thirty years, Mr. Richey
was elected County Commissioner about ten years ago and has been
subsequently re-elected five times. It is due largely to him that
the roads in his section of Lake County are among the best in the
state, as he has been careful to see that only the most capable
contractors have been employed in their construction. It is also
due largely, if not entirely, to his efforts that a Federal road
is now being built through Lake County. This is a matter of great
importance, as the number of Federal roads built is very limited.
In addition to his many other activities, Mr. Richey served
as Chairman of the Building Committee which built the State Bank
building in Leesburg, the largest office building in the county,
and he was also Chairman of the Building Committee for the Masonic
Temple at Leesburg.
Mr. Richey's fraternal affiliations are with the Odd Fellows,
Knights of Pythias, Masons, Shriners, and Knights Templar.
He was married at Leesburg, to Leeuna Stuart, and had fourteen
children, of whom eleven are living: Mrs. Lucy McQuaig, Mrs. Alice
Whitcomb, William H. Jr., Mrs. Myrtle Suddyth, Mrs. Ruth Roberts,
Mrs. Mary Carter, Edwin H., Pearl, Belle, Robert, and Mrs.
Josephine Roberts. Mr. Richey has the proud distinction of having
the largest family of any subject represented in the biographical
section of this history.
Leesburg Commercial, 28 July 1939, p. 6
GRANDCHILDREN OF SIX PIONEERS OF LAKE COUNTY UNVEIL PORTRAITS AND
STATE TREASURER KNOTT LAUDS THEM
Few men have served a single county so long and so faithfully
as WILLIAM HERBERT RICHEY, whose tragic death in an automobile
accident seven months ago is still fresh in our memories. He
served 20 years as a member of the board of county commissioners
of Lake county, and for ten years as its chairman.
Born April 29, 1862, in Lowndes county, Miss., the son of
William B. Richey, Confederate States army, and Lucy Jerdon Richey
and educated in his native state. Mr. Richey moved to Leesburg in
1884, where he engaged in farming and fruit growing. He was active
in the creation of Lake county, and was a pioneer advocate of good
roads in this county. He died on December 19, 1938, 17 days before
a testimonial supper was to be given in honor of his long and
distinguished services.
Mr. Richey was affectionately known to many as "Uncle Hub."
He was a Methodist, an Odd Fellow, a Knight of Pythias and a Mason,
being a Knight Templar aud a Shriner in that ancient order. Among
other civic activities, he served as chairman of the school
trustees of Leesburg and of the building committee which supervised
the construction of the State Bank building in Leesburg and its
Masonic temple.
Mr. Richey and his wife, who was Miss Leeuna Stuart of
Leesburg, were the parents of 14 children, 11 of whom survived him:
Mrs. Lucy McQuaig, Mrs. Alice Whitcomb, William H. Jr., Mrs. Myrtle
Suddath, Mrs. Ruth Roberts, Mrs. Mary Carter, Edwin H., Mrs. Pearl
Haines, Belle, Robert and Mrs. Josephine Roberts.
Less than a year has gone by since Mr. Richey left us and many
years must pass before Lake county ceases to miss him.
William Herbert Richey married Luria (sic) Stewart, 23 Dec 1886,Methodist Episcopal Church South, Leesburg, by L. Bishop. License
date, Sumter County, 22 Dec 1886.
Myrtle R. Sudderth was a retired teacher.
William H. Richey, Jr., b. 6 Nov 1891, d. 12 Feb 1956; buried
Hillcrest Cemetery, Leesburg. wife Irene, b. 1899.
Obit for Leeuna Stuart Richey
Leesburg Commercial, 20 Sep 1935, p. 1