Beloit Daily News, Tuesday, 31 January 1911
First White Child Born In Township
B.F. Richardson Of Roscoe Who Dies In California Had Distinction
Log House Early Home
Located Near Where Roscoe Depot Now Stands - Highly Esteemed in This Section - In California Five Years - Leaves Several Children
[Special to The Daily News]
Roscoe, Ill., Jan. 31. - B.F. Richardson, the first white child born in Roscoe township and widely known throughout this section, died Sunday morning at 1 o'clock at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Benjamin Miles, Santa Anna, Cal., his demise being due to Bright's disease and a complication of other maladies.
Mr. Richardson was highly esteemed here and elsewhere. He was born in a log house near where the Roscoe depot now stands, on May 8, 1837, and was married September 22, 1862, to Miss Elizabeth Gregory, who died March 28, 1887. To this union nine children were born of whom eight survive. They are as follows:
Mrs. James McMakin, Shirland, Ill.; Frank, Milton, Wis.; Mrs. Ed Goldthwaite, Norwalk, Cal.; Mrs. Benjamin Miles, Santa Anna, Cal.; Mrs. Hal Hayward, Los Angeles, Cal.; Mrs. Minnie Baird, California [actually she is his youngest sister]; C.B. Richardson and W.F. Richardson, Roscoe; James Richardson, Riverside, Cal. There also survives one sister, Mrs. Bradley Atwood, Hunter, Ill., and one brother, Charles of Roscoe.
Mr. Richardson united with the Roscoe Methodist church early in life, being a charter member. He was always a devout worker for the cause of Christianity. He was a prohibitionist in politics and was at one time a town officer.
The tender care given by him to the infant son left at the death of his wife and the many years of devotion to an invalid sister will long be cherished in he hearts of the community.
Mr. Richardson went to California five years ago in search of health, which was for a time vouchsafed him. During that time he twice revisited his old home. His body will be brought to Roscoe for burial beside his wife. Announcement of the funeral service will be made later.