I am extremely grateful to Martha Davies of the Great Plains Welsh Heritage Project for translation of this article.

The Hon. David Richards

Death of the Well-Known and Useful Welshman in his Home, Knoxville, Tenn.

On Saturday morning, March 31, 1906 in his home, 1021 Oak Ave., Knoxville, Tenn. The Hon. David Richards died at the age of 81. He was known in the area as "Uncle Dave" and was one of the most respected citizens in the place and one of the most prominent Welshmen in America. Though he had been weak for several years, he was in his usual state of health on Friday night and his sudden death was unexpected. He had several periods of illness in the later years of his life and during the winter he was frail though he stayed in good spirits and in sunny good humor even though his body was deteriorating. He died peacefully, as one who is conscious that he has lived a beneficial life and has completed the work that was given him to do.

Mr. Richards was born in Merthyr Tydfil, South Wales, on August 12, 1824. In his youth he learned the craft of iron worker. In 1814 he left the area where he was born and immigrated to America, the land of sunny promises, where he landed in New York. Before leaving [Wales] he married a young Welshwoman who died soon afterwards in this country. He and his brothers Joseph and William settled in Danville, Pa., where he followed his profession as an iron worker. On July 28, 1849, [in Danville, Pa.] he married Miss Susannah Lewis, sister of Thomas D. Lewis who was superintendent at Knoxville Ice Company.

In 1867 he went south to Knoxville where he went into the iron business by starting Knoxville Iron Factory, forming a company with his brothers and others and serving as supervisor until his retirement because of health though he stayed on as director until his death. He was one of the foremost proprietors among the iron workers in the south-west. He also went into the coal business establishing and developing Knoxville Coal Company in Coal Creek, the company that brought the first car of coal on the K & O railroad form Coal Creek to Knoxville.

He was a prominent and benevolent man in society though he did not meddle in politics because he found no pleasure in it. Yet in 1871 he was urged to run for the office of State Senator at the request of a number of his friends. He was elected and served during the 1871-1872 term. At the time Lincoln was running for the Presidency, he gave a number of speeches in Blair County, Pa., where he lived at the time. At the time of Lincoln's second campaign, Mr. Richards went around with W. D. Kelly who was known as "Pig Iron Kelly." At that time Mr. Richards was known as "Blair County Puddler." In 1876 he was honored with the office of Delegate to the Centennial Exposition in Philadelphia. He did not think much of the calling of politician, though he was an accomplished and interesting speaker, fond of filling his speeches with amusing stories. It was his pleasure to speak in religious gatherings, employing the traditional delivery of his early speeches at Sunday school in Wales sixty years ago. He was at his best in religious and family circles because he was an everyday sort of Christian who, like Christ, did good every day. He followed in the footsteps of the Man of Galilee faithfully and honorably all his life.

He celebrated his golden wedding anniversary in July 1899 he and his wife were surrounded by a large number of friends and family —- children and grandchildren —- who came to their home on Oak Street to congratulate the pair and to wish them a happy and useful life. At that time he spoke about when he had just landed in this country and was asked how much he was worth. He answered, though he did not even have a dollar, that he was worth $100,000, pointing to his good head and his hard hands, and he proved himself worth much more than that to society. His worth also included an excellent family, seven married children with several of their children married. He said he would not trade his family for any other in the country. He finished [his remarks on the occasion of his golden anniversary] by saying, "I thank you for coming to see the old man and my excellent old wife," pointing to Mrs. Richards, "and my wish is that you all are as happy and comfortable as we are."

He left, beside his widow Susannah, the following children: David J. Richards, Louisville, Ky.; Mrs. F. E. McArthur, Augusta, Ga.; Mrs. Charles Corner, Valdosta, Ga.; Mrs. D. J. Hope, Mrs. Walter McCoy and Mrs. D. F. Baker, Knoxville, and twenty grandchildren. The funeral took place on Monday in the United Brethren Church, formerly the Welsh church, on Atkin St. with the Reverends Samuel W. Paul, J. H. Frazee, Nathan Bachman and Wm. T. Rodgers officiating. Providing music was a quartet, Mrs. Harry Cummins, Mrs. Daniel Lewis, D. J. Davis and W. P. Richards with Frank Nelson at the organ. The remains were buried at Old Gray cemetery.

Source: Y Drych, 12 April 1906