Page:Encyclopedia of Virginia Biography volume 5.djvu/396

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VIRGINIA BIOGRAPHY

Frederick Wilmer Richardson. Of Eng- lish and Scotch ancestry, Mr. Richardson by heredity well-connected and by personal worth popular and esteemed, fully justifies the encomiums bestowed by a contempo- rary : "His official life is characterized b) strict integrity, thorough knowledge of the duties to be performed, a genial manner, and a courtesy that is unfailing because it comes from the heart. It is not surpnsnig tliai he is regarded as the most popular man in the country." (Fairfax).

For thirty-five years Mr. Richardson has been clerk of the county and circuit courts, succeeding his father, Ferdinand Dawson Richardson, who for more than fifty years was clerks assistant and deputy clerk of county and circuit courts, a man of unblem- ished character and one who was foremost in the regard of his fellow-citizens of Fair- tax county.

Ferdinand Dawson Richardson died Octo- ber 13, i860. He was a son of William Pier- point Richardson, a descendant of an early Virginia family of note. Ferdinand Daw- son Richardson married Mary Posey Grigs- by, a sister of Hon. Alexander Spottswood Grigsby, who represented Fairfax county in the Virginia legislature prior to i860, being at a later date elected to the same body from Campbell county. The Grigsbys were also promment in Virginia during colonial dajs, bequeathing to posterity honorable names and records. Mrs. Richardson was a woman of high ideals, culture and refine- ment, transmitting to her children her in- tellectual tastes and strong moral character. She was the mother of five sons and five daughters. Of these: i. Elmira Virginia, born in Fairfax county, Virginia, married Cap- tain I'homas H. Holbrook, who served as captain in a regiment of Maryland infantry ; children : Linwood Lee, Stockton S., Henry M., and Elton Richardson. 2. Monimia Fair- fax, born in F"airfax county, unmarried. 3. Maude Hatcher, married (first) Robert Bruce Douglas, nephew of Beverly Doug- las, member of Congress from Virginia, and (second) Edward W. Pierce, and has chil- dren, Elton Richardson and Ritchie Pierce.

Frederick Wilmer Richardson, son of Fer- dinand Dawson and Mary Posey (Grigsby) Richardson, was born at Fairfax Court House, Fairfax county, Virginia, December 16, 1853. His entire life has been spent in his native county, his early life being free

from all labor or care further than obtaining an education. He attended public and pri- vate schools in Fairfax and Knapp's Insti- tute in Baltimore. When eighteen years of age he became an assistant clerk in the office of the clerk of court, it having been his early ambition to follow his father's calling and to become a court clerk. He became his father's deputy, and for nine years, until the latter's death, father and son were closely associated in the duties of the court clerk's office. During this period the young man studied law, but beyond being of great bene- fit to him in a general way his legal know- ledge has not been utilized, he explaining that he never had time to take the exam- inations necessary for admission to the bar. His contemporaries say: "He is always so busy attending to his official duties or doing a favor for somebody that he never has time to do anything for himself." In October, 1880, he was appointed clerk of the county and cir- cuit courts to succeed his deceased father, and in May, 1881, was elected to fill the same office. He was continuously elected to fill the dual office until the adoption of a new state constitution abolished the county courts as formerly constituted. In 1903 he was elected clerk of the circuit court for a term of eight years. In 191 1 he was elected to succeed himself for a similar term of years and is at present engaged in the dis- charge of the duties of that office, his term expiring January i, 1920. No higher tribute could have been paid Mr. Richardson thirty- five years ago than to be considered worthy to succeed his honored father, under whose careful instruction he had been tutored in method and detail. Since then his continued retention in office is evidence of the value of his services and conveys in a degree an idea of the high appreciation of his fellow- citizens.

Air. Richardson has for many years been a member of Henry Lodge, No. 57, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, of Fairfax, hold- ing the offices of secretary and treasurer and passing to the junior warden's station. He is also a companion of Mount Vernon Chapter, Royal Arch Masons, of Alexandria. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church and for several years has served as trustee. He has also served as secretary and president of the Cemetery Association, the Town Hall Association, and as a notary public. In political faith he is a Democrat.