Richardson, Charles E. (1844-1936) Diary, 1865

Held by The Filson Historical Society

Creator: Richardson, Charles E., 1844-1936

Title: Diary, 1865

Rights: For information regarding literary and copyright interest for this collection, contact the Curator of Special Collections.

Size of Collection: 1 volume

Locator Number: Mss.  A R521

Scope and Content Note

Richardson, a native of Christian County, Ky., kept a diary with daily entries for 1865 while residing in Mound City, Ill., and Ballard County and Hickman, Ky. In February 1865 he moved to Mound City, possibly to avoid arrest by rebel agents in Kentucky. He describes his activities as a grocery clerk and a Mississippi River flood in Mound City. During this period his entries also reflect his somewhat ambivalent opinions regarding the war and national politics. After returning to Kentucky in May 1865, he describes daily life on his family’s farm and activities as a general merchandising clerk in Hickman, Kentucky.

An original tintype of Richardson, ca. 1865, has been transferred to the photographic collection.

Biographical Note

Charles Richardson was born 20 February, 1844 in Christian County, Ky., the third of four children born to Elijah and Mary Richardson. He attended Bethel College in Russellville, Ky. Alternating with assisting his father on the family farm in Ballard County, Ky., he worked as a store clerk in his early twenties in Moundsville, Ill. and Hickman, Ky. In the late 1870s, he turned from merchandising to banking, beginning as a clerk/bookkeeper in the City National Bank of Paducah, Ky. By 1920, he had risen to the post of vice president of the bank. In 1902, he married his wife, Ellis. They had no children. Charles died 20 November, 1936, in Paducah at the age of 92.

Subject Headings

Business enterprises – Illinois

Business enterprises – Kentucky

Farm life – Kentucky

Floods – Mississippi River Valley – History – 19th century

Kentucky – History – Civil War, 1861-1865

Lincoln, Abraham, 1809-1865 – Assassination

Medicine – Kentucky

Mound City (Ill.) – History – 19th century

Wit and humor