14 Facts About DeForest Richards

DeForest Richards was an American banker, farmer, and politician who served as the fifth governor of Wyoming from 1899 to 1903.

DeForest Richards was descended from families of earlier settlers, arriving in 1630 on his father's side and 1640 on his mother's.

DeForest Richards's father, J DeForest Richards, was a leading Congregational minister and educator who served as President of the Alabama State University in Tuscaloosa.

DeForest Richards relocated to Alabama during post-Civil War Reconstruction, moving with his father in 1865 to run a cotton plantation.

DeForest Richards was elected sheriff of Wilcox County in 1868, a position he held for four years.

DeForest Richards retired from politics and opened a tannery, which became indebted.

DeForest Richards reorganized the enterprise and worked as a cobbler for two years to repay his debts and accumulate capital to start a new business.

DeForest Richards then opened a merchandising business in Camden, Alabama, where he built a "large and profitable trade," becoming a leader in the community.

DeForest Richards helped found the First National Bank of Douglas, of which he was the first President.

DeForest Richards supported cession of federally-owned lands to the state, and opposed federal leasing of lands for grazing, preferring either state ownership or free use.

DeForest Richards supported railroad construction, and served as a leader in a railway company that attempted to connect the Union Pacific Railroad with mining areas in Wyoming.

DeForest Richards ran for a second term in 1902, defeating George T Beck by the largest margin seen since the Territory joined the Union in 1890.

DeForest Richards died from kidney disease at his home in Cheyenne on April 28,1903, four months into his second term.

DeForest Richards's body is interred at Lakeview Cemetery in Cheyenne.