Benjamin Richardson was the first to settle in Roscoe Township. He was the eldest of twelve children born to Benjamin and Judith (Mason) Richardson. About 1821 he accompanied his parents to New York, eventually settling at Johnstown where he married his first wife Mary Ann Welch on 16 March 1833. To them were born five sons and three daughters. Benjamin learned the trade of a blacksmith, and at an early age invented a contraption which pulled tree stumps (his son Charles, by his own account, was born in "Stump City," New York). Benjamin possessed unusual mechanical ability and blacksmithing skills, and was very successful in his trade. In 1836, the family removed to Michigan. Three months later he visited Illinois and was so impressed with what he saw, that in the autumn of 1836 the family removed to Roscoe. He claimed 80 acres of timber and 80 acres of prairie, south of where the old Chicago & Northwestern depot formerly stood, and built a log house near the old depot site. His third child Benjamin Franklin Richardson, born 8 May 1837, was the first white child born in the township. The cabin burned several years later and was replaced by a home built from concrete. Benjamin married secondly 19 April 1847 to Catherine Meck and thirdly 28 November 1866 to Lydia Tubbs. He died in Connecticut while visiting friends.
Benjamin Richardson was the first to settle in Roscoe Township. He was the eldest of twelve children born to Benjamin and Judith (Mason) Richardson. About 1821 he accompanied his parents to New York, eventually settling at Johnstown where he married his first wife Mary Ann Welch on 16 March 1833. To them were born five sons and three daughters. Benjamin learned the trade of a blacksmith, and at an early age invented a contraption which pulled tree stumps (his son Charles, by his own account, was born in "Stump City," New York). Benjamin possessed unusual mechanical ability and blacksmithing skills, and was very successful in his trade. In 1836, the family removed to Michigan. Three months later he visited Illinois and was so impressed with what he saw, that in the autumn of 1836 the family removed to Roscoe. He claimed 80 acres of timber and 80 acres of prairie, south of where the old Chicago & Northwestern depot formerly stood, and built a log house near the old depot site. His third child Benjamin Franklin Richardson, born 8 May 1837, was the first white child born in the township. The cabin burned several years later and was replaced by a home built from concrete. Benjamin married secondly 19 April 1847 to Catherine Meck and thirdly 28 November 1866 to Lydia Tubbs. He died in Connecticut while visiting friends.
Family Members
Siblings
