James Richmond, M.D.

Posted by Janet on Sat, 17 Feb 2001

James Richmond, M. D., who for over twenty years was the leading physician of Loyal and the vicinity, was born in -St. Lawrence County, New York, Jan. 15, 1858, son of John and Margaret (Hoy) Richmond. The father, a native of Leeds, England, came to America a single man at the age of 22 years, settling near Canton, N. Y. There he married Margaret Hoy, a native of Dublin, Ireland. A farmer by occupation, he continued his residence in St. Lawrence County until his death, which occurred in September, 1866. His wife died at the age of 87 years. James Richmond was the youngest of eleven children, ten of whom were sons. At the age of 15 he accompanied his brother, Dr. P. E. Richmond, a graduate of the McGill Medical College of Montreal, to the state of Michigan, where he remained until the fall of 1875. Up to that time he had attended school and acquired a good education, and the spring of 1875 found him teaching. That fall he came to Trempealeau County, Wisconsin, and entered the high school at Galesville, of which his brother Stephen was then principal. Graduating with the class of 1877, in the following year he took a course of study at Gale College. Then for several years he was engaged in the profession of teaching, but all the while contemplated the study of medicine. Finally he abandoned the schoolroom and turned his attention to the pursuit of medical science.

In 1886 he entered the College of Physicians and Surgeons at Chicago, and being graduated from that institution in the class of 1887, located immediately at Black River Falls in Jackson County, where he practiced his profession until 1895, acquiring a well earned reputation as a skilled physician. For some years he served as health officer in Jackson County and was a member of the pension board of examiners. In 1895 Dr. Richmond came to Loyal, Clark County, and opened an office. Here also he soon demonstrated his ability and built up an enviable reputation both in the village and county, and this not only as a representative of his profession, but also as a man and citizen. His services were always available at any hour of the day or night, no matter how far he had to go to reach a patient, and his charges were always just and reasonable.

His integrity and the unselfishness of his personal character rendered his social relations in the highest degree pleasant, and he was devoted to his family, and esteemed by the entire community in which he had made his home. He took a keen interest in the upbuilding of the village, being always ready to do his part as a good citizen. A stockholder in the Loyal State Bank, he served also for some time as its vice president, holding that position at the time of his death.

He was greatly interested in the Masonic order, of which he became a member in 1884, and also belonged to the Modern Woodmen of America, the Equitable Fraternal Union, and the Beavers. Dr. Richmond died Feb. 13, 1915, his passing away being a heavy blow to his family and casting a gloom over the entire community. He was a man whom Loyal could ill afford to lose, and whose memory will be an inspiring influence for many years to come.

Dr. Richmond was united in marriage, Aug. 17, 1884, to Maggie Carpenter, of Preston, Trempealeau County, Wisconsin. She was a daughter of Henry and Mary (Lake) Carpenter, both the Carpenters and Lakes being pioneers of Trempealeau County, to which Henry Carpenter came in 1859, locating on a farm in Preston Township. There he and his family experienced all-the trials and vicissitudes of pioneer life, and there he and his wife resided until their death. They were not long separated, Mrs. Carpenter passing away June 11, 1907, and her husband only five days afterward, on June 16. They were the parents of six children who grew to maturity: Frances, now the widow of Justin Allen; Frederick, of North Dakota; Adelbert, who died in 1882; William, of South Dakota; Maggie, widow of Dr. James Richmond, the subject of this sketch; and Hettie, Mrs. F. W. Whitney, who resides in Tacoma, Wash. Dr. and Mrs. Richmond had -one child, Lorena, who resides with her mother in Loyal.