William Cavers "Will" Richmond

Other Events:

• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-182177

Other Events:

• Interesting: story
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-250855
• Occupation: 1861, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; Farmer
• Residence: 1861, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; United Presbyterian
• Land - Directory: 1864, North Dumfries Concession 07 Lot 26, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada
• Residence: 1868, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada

Notes:

AT REST [15 March 1921]

Funeral Services of Matthew Richmond Held Last Friday

Matthew Richmond was born May 30 in the year 1834 in Mauchline Parish. The town of Mauchline is situated in Ayrshire in the southwest of Scotland about eight miles from the west coast and near the Ayr river. It is the section of country, long famous as the home of Robt. Burns. The subject of this sketch had the honor of beginning life in the land of Bruce and Wallace and Knox. But when Matthew was five years of age his parents with their family came to America and settled at Ayr, Ontario, Canada. Here he received his education and developed into manhood. Even though far removed from the scenes of his birthplace, doubtless the history of the struggles of those old Scottish heroes, for civil and religious liberty, had much influence in the development of that sturdy character of this noble christian gentleman.

In 1857 he and Margaret Cavers were united in marriage at the little village of Ayr, where they started life together on a farm. Doubtless it was here that his christian devotion in the home began. The altar fire was lighted.

His father was an Elder in the Presbyterian church in Canada and there is abundant evidence that a devoutly christian atmosphere pervaded the old Richmond home as the boys James, John, William and Matthew became either ministers or Elders in the Presbyterian church.

In the fall of 1867 Matthew Richmond explored the northern part of the state of Iowa and being attracted by the beautiful prairies he purchased land in Armstrong Grove township and in October 1868, came with his family to their new home on the farm, five miles southest of the town of Armstrong.

Here it was that his career in this community began. And it was around him, with his goodly wife, that the first system of religious effort gathered. It was by them that the Scotch Presbyterian idea of worship had their beginnings in this community and it was in their cabin home that the pioneer minister found a welcome and received inspiration from their family altar.

With the Richmonds the Sunday school, as well as the church had its beginning in this community. It is a matter of record that Mr. Richmond was selected as the first superintendent. This community can hardly realize what it owes to this good man for his life of wholesome, uplifting influence.

He was elected Elder of the Presbyterian church soon after he came to this part of the country and filled that office continually till the close of his life. Though having advanced to an extreme age he attended two meetings of the session during the past year. His interest in the progress of the kingdom never dimmed. It is not often the privilege of one so old to have an active part in the work of the church so near the very close of his earthly career.

In 1908 he was delegated by the Ft. Dodge Presbytery to represent it in the General Assembly of the Presbyterian church, which met that year in Los Angeles, California, Mrs. Richmond acccompanying him on the trip. The Heavenly Father had permitted these two coworkers with his son, to journey long together but Mrs. Richmond passed through the veil to "The Beyond" November 16, 1919, lacking only a few days of eighty-seven years. Thus Mr. Richmond was left to journey on alone, but not for long, a little more than a year had passed till they joined hands again in that "Home Over There." More than sixty-one of their eighty-seven years in this life were spent together.

Their family of six children are all living, Mrs. Nettie Gibbs, Mrs. Anna R. Dows, Miss Robena Richmond and Walter A. Richmond of Armstrong; Will C. Richmond of Charles City, Ia., and John J. Richmond of Portland Ore. All but the latter were present at the funeral.

Mr. Richmond is survived also, by two brothers, James Richmond of Galt, Ontario, Canada and Rev. J.M. Richmond D.D., of Ormund, Florida.

The funeral, which was held at 1: 30 pm in the Presbyterian church of which Mr. Richmond had been an Elder from its founding, was largely attended by relatives, friends, and citizens of the community.

The serman wa preached by the pastor, the Rev. Victor B. Demaree from the texts, Pa. 1: 1-3, II Sam. 3.38 and Job 5.26

The pallbearers were two sons Wm. C. Richmond and Walter A. Richmond and four nephews, William Weir, Geo. Weir, James Weir and Robert Stewart. They laid the body to rest beside that of his companion in the Armstrong cemetery.

Matthew Richmond (1834 - 1921) - Find A Grave Memorial. (2016). Findagrave.com. Retrieved 6 September 2016, from https://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=52627537

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Passing of an Ayr Old Boy

The death is announced at Armstrong, Iowa, of Matthew Richmond, aged 87. He was an Ayr Old Boy, having resided on the Richmond homestead here until after his marriage. His partner, who predeceased him by a year, was Margaret Cavers. The deceased took a deep interest in church affairs, and was instrumental in organizing a Presbyterian congregation in his community. He was an elder and at one time attended the General Assembly. He was also superintendent of the Sabbath school. A family of six survive; also two brothers-James of Galt and Rev. Dr. J. M. of Ormand, Florida. The late Wm. Richmond of Ayr was also brother, and the late Mrs. Thos. Easton a sister.

Ayr News - Apr 14, 1921, pg 1

Matthew married Margaret Cavers 17 Feb 1858, Ayr, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. Margaret (daughter of Adam Cavers and Janet Clark) was born 25 Nov 1832, Hobkirk, , Roxburgh, Scotland; was christened 23 Dec 1832, Hobkirk, , Roxburgh, Scotland; died 16 Nov 1919, Armstrong, Emmet, Iowa, United States; was buried , Armstrong Grove Cemetery, Armstrong, Emmet, Iowa, United States. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Interesting: pioneer
• Name: Margaret Richmond
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-250866
• Residence: 1841, Swanshiel, Hobkirk, , Roxburgh, Scotland
• Residence: 1861, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada; United Presbyterian
• Residence: 1868, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada

Notes:

Margaret Cavers Richmond was born in Roxburghshire, Scotland, November 24, 1832, the daughter of Adam and Janet Cavers. Adam was for some years in the British Army and came near being "one of the soldiers of on that memorable day was at some distance from the scene of action, and though they moved by forced marches, when they arrived on the field the battle was over, the victory won, and Napoleon had started on his long and dismal journey to St. Helena. Not many years after young Cavers settled down to family life in Scotland, and he and his wife became the parents of ten children, and of the ten Margaret was the last to leave the world, having lived 87 years lacking 8 days. Adam seems to have been a deeply religious man. His daughter told someone that she remembered her father praying most earnestly for his family and especially for the salvation of his children.

When about twenty Margaret came with a brother and a sister to Ontario, Canada, and February 18, 1858 was married to Mathew Richmond at Ayr, Ontario. After living ten [JMR:years] in that land they came west, and crossed the Mississippi near Lansing, Ia. where one or two of her brothers had been living for some time. Mr. Richmond with his little family started west in a wagon over northern Iowa. He told me that they arrived Thursday at Decorah, Friday at Howard Center, and by Saturday night reached Burr Oak in Mitchell county. They rested, of course, over Sabbath and on Monday arrived at Ellington, Hancock county. Tuesday at Buffalo Forks, and by Wednesday night were at E.B. Campbell's in Armstrong Grove Township. Mr. Richmond had been here the year before and had secured section 34 at Government prices, but he settled with his family on section 36, near the county line.

They were industrious and economical and prosperity came their way. The log house was replaced by a large and modern residence, and here they lived until the spring of 1897 when they moved to the town of Armstrong. In early days, of course, on the farm, they were familiar with pioneer life with its pleasing as well as its trying features. In early [JMR: "days"] both had become members of the Presbyterian church and in Armstrong and vicinity this church owes more for its success to them than to any other couple. Mr. Richmond was elected elder, and the presbytery of Ft. Dodge conferred a special honor upon him by sending him as a delegate to the General Assembly at Los Angeles in 1903. Mrs. Richmond accompanied him and they both greatly enjoyed the trip. We must not forget Mrs. Richmond's services to the church. There was not much of the 'public' about her. I do not think she was prominent in sunday school, or as a 'missionary worker'. She was retiring, modest, humble; there was nothing of the "modern woman" about her. But at home Mrs. Richmond was a queen. One feature we must mention especially. She will long be remembered for the entertainment and encouragement she gave to ministers of the gospel, who always found the most cordial and sincere welcome to her home and to her table. Her service to the church in this line is remarkable, and she kept this up for 20 or 30 years, when advancing years suggested the propriety of leaving the farm for a more quiet life in the town.

In recent years advancing age was beginning to tell upon her, and after suffering considerably, especially during the last three months, on Sabbath November 16, about noon she entered, as we believe, the great Sabbath rest, the rest which remaineth for the people of God. She longed to depart and be with Christ, and one day she said,-showing the simplicity of her faith- "Jesus said that he could ask the Father for 12 legions of angels. I know, he can send one for me."

On Saturday, about twenty-four hours before the end, her old neighbor and friend, Mrs. Jane Dundas, from Estherville came to see her, to whom she said, "I want you to pray for me and pray loud so I can hear you." A very sincere prayer was offered, then the patient being very weary, turned and said in a friendly way, Now Good-bye.

Numerous friends have testified to the help and inspiration her life has been to them. The local paper said of her,"The life of a woman like Mrs. Richmond does much to prove there is a spark of the divine fire in man upon this earth, and that there is a better realm where such spirits must go and whence they have come. For they are not of the earth."

In the sermon I observed that Mrs. Richmond was one of the old selttlers and that probably very few of them were left. At the cemetery after the burial, Mrs. Fish and Mrs. Dundas came to me and said they are the only ones living who were here and were heads of families when the Richmonds came in October, 1868. The Fish family came in September and Mrs. Dundas was married here the spring before.

The pall bearers were her two sons, William and Walter, and four nephews, William and James Weir of Estherville, George Stewart of Armstrong, and Adam Cavers of Village Creek, Ia.

Mrs. Richmond leaves to mourn their loss her husband, six children, and fifteen grandchildren. All of her children are living in or near Armstrong except John who lives at Waterloo.

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On the Passing of a Pioneer
By George N. Luccock

Recently at Armstrong, Iowa one died who had an unusual share in development of Presbyterian Christianity in northwest Iowa. Mrs. Mathew Richmond with her husband who survives her and who became the first Presbyterian elder in that region; went to Emmet County; Iowa in a very early day when the prairies were roadless; fenceless almost homeless and altogether churchless. Born Presbyterian; it was her dream or hope and her unceasing prayer that God would send a Presbyterian minister to her new country. As I was the unexpected and at the first quite disappointing answer to that prayer; I crave space for a bit of church history; which is also reminiscence; in Mrs. Richmond's praise.

Dr. A.K. Baird; synodical superintendent; himself Scotch and sympathizing with this desire of the Scotch Richmonds for a Presbyterian share in the religious developoment of the promising prairies; requisitioned the seminaries for summer students. So he sent me to Richmonds.

It did seem a mysterious providence. The dear lady's idea of a Presbyterian minister was definite and clear. He should naturally be tall of course he would be dignified; and in all the virtues and example to youth. With what pride and expectancy did she look forward to next Sunday; when all the neighbors would assemble in the schoolhouse to see and hear a real Presbyterian minister! Alas that the spirit of moral should be proud! The minister proved to be a boy. He was not tall and he was fat.

Before a week had gone she made him feel that her heart was glad he had been chosen of God to come. Her home became his home; and what a home it was! Just a cabin; with two rooms and an attic. It was a large family too. But there was always room; not for just one more but for as many as might come; even strangers stranded on the prairies. I think the record was the sheltering of sixteen wayfaring guests for a night. Later in prosperity; a commodius; modern house was built; but it could not surpass the charm of that hospitality cabin.

It is not my purpose to write an obituary eulogy; but to bring into the publicity of these pages; which first as The Interior and since as The Continent she had cherished for more than a generation; the name of a woman rare in her quiet faithfulness and; with her good husband the real founder of Presbyterianism in that part of northwest Iowa. It was my privilege last winter to have an hour's visit with her; then in her eighty-seventh year. She had never expected to reach old age; but her talk of the goodness of God through the lengthening years; her joy in seeing the development of the country to which in her youth she had come as a pioneer; her happiness in recalling the beginnings and growth of her own church; and her fine readiness to go hence whenever God willed-all was like the benediction of a mother's hand on the head of her first pastor in that new country. And many other such like men and women joined with the Richmonds in helping along the kingdom there.

The Continent

Other Events:

• FindAGrave: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/52762582
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-139014
• Land - Directory: 1864, North Dumfries Concession 07 Lot 34, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada

Notes:

Died In South Dumfries, on Saturday, March 8th, at 3.30 P.M., Wm. Richmond, Sr., In the 70th Year of His Age. The Funeral will take place on Tuesday, the 11th inst., at 1 o'clock, p.m., from his late residence to the place of interment, New Cemetery, Ayr. South Dumfries, March 10th, 1879.

\bWaterloo Historical Society Death Notices Collection - photocopies

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William Richmond is reported to have been born in Dyke Field Farm, Mauchlin, Ayrshire, Scotland, documentation needed.

William — Ann Dickie. Ann (daughter of William Dickie and Jane McHoul) was born CALC 30 Sep 1808, Sorn, Ayrshire, Scotland; died 31 May 1892, South Dumfries Twp., Brant Co., Ontario, Canada; was buried 2 Jun 1892, Ayr Cemetery, Ayr, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

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• FindAGrave: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/52762905
• Name: Ann Richmond
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-139028

Notes:

Died, In South Dumfries, on Tuesday, May 31st., 1892, at 11.50 a.m. Ann Dickie, Relict of the late Wm. Richmond, aged 83 years and 8 months. The Funeral Will take place from the residence of Wm. Richmond, lot 33, con. 6, South Dumfries, on Thursday, at two p.m., to Ayr Cemetery. Friends and acquaintances are respectfully invited to attend. May 31, 1892.

Waterloo Historical Society Death Notices Collection - photocopies

Other Events:

• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-250889
• Residence: 1841, Swanshiel, Hobkirk, , Roxburgh, Scotland

Adam — Janet Clark. Janet was born 1805, , Roxburghshire, Scotland; died Yes, date unknown. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Name: Janet Cavers
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-68994
• Residence: 1841, Swanshiel, Hobkirk, , Roxburgh, Scotland

Other Events:

• FindAGrave: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/195611928
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-143535
• Residence: 1817, Mauchline, , Ayr, Scotland

William married Jane McHoul 28 Dec 1808, Mauchline, , Ayr, Scotland. Jane was born 20 Mar 1789, Tarbolton, , Ayr, Scotland; died 20 Apr 1854, Puslinch Twp., Wellington Co., Ontario, Canada; was buried , New Hope Cemetery, Hespeler (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• FindAGrave: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/195611963
• Name: Jane Dickie
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-143538
• Residence: 1817, Mauchline, , Ayr, Scotland

Notes:

DICKIE, JEAN (Nee Mahoul(?))

At the Township of Puslinch, in the County of Wellington, on the 20^th April 1854. Wife of William Dickie. Formerly of the parish of Mouchline in the County of Ayr, Scotland.

A Celebration of Lives Obituaries of Puslinch Township, Wellington Co., Ontario Vol 1, Anna Jackson & Marjorie Clark
Used with kind permission of Marjorie Clark