GEORGE E. RICHARDSON of Elkhorn township was born in St. Louis, Missouri, in 1846. He was the son of Robert H. and Sophia (Armbrewster) Richardson. He came with his parents to Illinois when a boy, and before he was of age went on the river and learned to be an engineer and followed that business until 1864, when he died. His father's family were farmers and mechanics.

George remained at home until he was nineteen years old, having remained at school until fourteen. He entered an office in St. Louis as shipping clerk, and afterward came to this county and settled in Mt. Pleasant, and worked for an uncle one year on a farm. He then took to running a portable sawmill. Since then he has farmed and continued his business in the sawmill. He has been Assessor and Collector, and is now a Democrat, although he first voted the Republican ticket.

He was married April 22, 1875, to Miss Martha J. Gerrish, who was born in this county April 9, 1854. She is the daughter of Sewall and Elizabeth (Grove) Gerrish. Mr. and Mrs. Richardson have five children, namely: Otis E., Josie L., Sewall H., George Everett and Nina L. Mr. Richardson and family are prominent people in the township and they are steady church going people.