Mrs. Rose Richardson
Mrs. Rose Richardson, a highly esteemed resident of Dillonvale, O., is the widow of Jasper N. Richardson, who was one of the leading citizens of this place for many years. He was the organizer and president of the First National Bank of Dillonvale and for sixteen years was in the mercantile business here.
The late Jasper N. Richardson was born in Jefferson County, Ohio, and was left an orphan when seven years old. A brother, William Richardson, of Smithfield, is the only survivor of his parents' family. The life of a dependent orphan is apt to be full of hardship and Mr. Richardson doubtless passed many a weary day in the brick-yard of his first employer. He was ambitious, however, and took advantage of every opportunity to increase his knowledge of books in order that he might become a teacher and subsequently passed the examination and received liis certificate. He taught school successfully for a time and then turned his attention to merchandising, being associated with Martin Young and for sixteen years he continued in this occupation at Dillonvale. He was a man of good business ability and so developed the enterprise that it became the leading one of its kind in this section. Subsequently, with other leading men of Dillonvale, he organized the First National Bank, of which he was made president, and he safeIy guided its affairs until the time of his death, December 31, 1907. The First National Bank of Dillonvale became one of the soundest financial institutions in Jefferson County and its prosperity was in large measure due to the conservative policy and careful business methods of Mr. Richardson.
Mr. Richardson was married to Miss Rose Hummel, a daughter of Louis and Mary (Wagoner) Hummel, of Dillonvale. When her parents, who were natives of Germany, first came to the United States they settled at Brookside, O.; from there they moved to Wheeling, W. Va., and five years later to Dillonvale, O., where they lived for the past nine years. Mr. and Mrs. Hummel had the following children born to them: Anna, who is tlie wife of Joseph Sweitzer, of Bellaire, O.; John, who resides at Maynard, O.; Louis, who is also in business at Maynard; Mary, who is the wife of James Beranek, of Brookside, Belmont County; Fred, who lives at Dillonvale; Albina, who is the wife of Fred Steffel, of Dillonvale; Rose; and Joseph, who resides with his parents.
Mrs. Richardson attended school at Brookside, Wheeling and also for one year after coming to Dillonvale, later taking a course in Scio College. She is an active member of the Methodist Protestant Church, of Dillonvale, and through her kind and benevolent nature and her pleasant, amiable attitude to all, has made warm friends on every side. She is held in affection and respect by those who know her. Mr. Richardson was a charter member of Mt. Pleasant Lodge, I. O. O. F., at Mt. Pleasant, O. He was a Democrat politically, had filled the office of justice of the peace for eight years, and had been elected for another term shortly before his death. Deservedly popular with all who knew him, he commanded the respect and enjoyed the confidence of the whole business conmiunity.
20th Century History of Steubenville and Jefferson County, Ohio, by Joseph B. Doyle. Richmond-Arnold Publishing Co., Chicago, 1910