I am researching the family of James P. Richards found in the 1880 census of Macon Co. IL. I am descended from his son Charles 1860-1931. I learned today that James wife was named Lizzie (maiden name unknown). She of course was deceased by 1880. James served in Co. D, 26th IL infantry during the Civil War. He was living in Sangamon Co. when he enlisted, but I have never found any sign of the family there. This family migrated to Madison Co., Indiana by the 20th century.
Did Lizzie die in Macon Co.? I wonder if James had siblings or parents in Macon Co.?

Thanks,
Roger Lester

According to the IL State Archives website, James Richards married Isabel Clark on 9 Jan 1858 in Sangamon County.

1860 Census, Subdivision 17, Sangamon Co, IL - J Richards (36 b. OH), I Richards (17 b. IL) and W Richards (1 b. IL)

1870 Census, Long Creek, Macon Co, IL - James(40), Isabell(22), William(11), Charles(9), Elle(6), George(3), Jesse(2mos)

1880 Census, Long Creek, Macon Co, IL - James P(56), Charles(17), Ella(15), George(12)

James P. Richards is listed as a widower in the 1880 census. However according to an article published in the Decatur Republican on 13 Oct 1887, they divorced - James Richards vs. Isabel Richards; divorce; evidence heard by court and decree granted.

I found an obituary in the Decatur Review published 31 Jul 1917 for a James H. Horn that said he married a Mrs. Isabel Clark in Decatur. The state archive says they married 23 Jul 1893. This is not the ex-wife of James Richards. Mrs. James Horn (Isabel) was born in Jan 1857 according to the 1900 Census. Isabel married James in 1858.

In Ancestry, there is an index titled "Headstones Provided for Union Civil War Veterans 1879-1903." According to this index, a headstone was supplied for James P. Richards by Gross Brothers. The index says that James died at Pendleton, IN on 11 Sep 1891. I also found an article in the Decatur Weekly Republican, published 2 Aug 1883 that says that James of Long Creek received his pension that morning. He was allowed $864 and would get $4 a month. If you request the pension application ask for Application #119747, Certificate 246,200.

I also found an Indiana marriage record for Charles Richards and Clara Baker. They were married 8 Apr 1893 in Madison Co, IN. I believe that Clara was his second wife. In the 1910 Census, Charles first son was born in abt 1891 before he married Clara.

I checked the 1830 Census of Butler County and found that there were three possible related families including John Richards, Richard Richards and Jacob Richards. Each of these families had a son under 5 or 5-10 years old in the household which would have been James' age.

And by the way, it was Jesse that moved to Santa Ana, California. He was married to Alice and had daughters, Ruth and Pearl.

I am not related. I just love solving genealogy puzzles.
- Pam