Allen Becker Richards, a native of Pennsylvania, who served in a New York regiment during the civil war, is now (1910) a retired business man of Geneva where he has resided for nearly sixty years.
Michael Richards, father of Allen B. Richards, was born in Maxatawny, Pennsylvania, in 1800, was a lifelong resident of that state and died in 1880. His wife, Ada Richards, was also a native of the Keystone state, born in 1809, died in 1899. Children: 1. Allen Becker, see forward. 2. Azuilla, born in 1832, now (1910) the widow of Unie Zeigler, who died in 1901 ; children : Emma and Albert. 3. Mary, born in 1834; married Nathan Hertzog; eight children. 4. Walter, born in 1842, is married and has two children: Ella and Clara. 5. Milton, born in J845; died in 1907; had six children. 6. William, born in 1847; married Emma, and has one child.
Allen Becker, son of Michael Richards, was born in Maxatawny, Pennsylvania, September 1, 1830; died October 10, 1898. Provided with a good practical education, acquired in the public schools, and possessing excellent business ability, he established himself in the saddlery business at Geneva, New York, in 1854, and resided there until his death. For more than thirty years he conducted a profitable business, dealing in all kinds of harness and kindred articles, and retiring in 1886, was succeeded by his son, Alfred W. Toward the close of the rebellion he gallantly responded to the call of his country for additional troops, enlisting September 12, 1864, in the One Hundred and Eighty-eighth Regiment, New York Volunteers, and he was honorably discharged from the service near Washington, District of Columbia, July 1, 1865. In 1889 he visited Europe, accompanied by his wife, remaining abroad one year, and again crossing the ocean in 1892, they spent another year in foreign travel. He was widely known and highly esteemed. In politics he was a Democrat, and he attended the Baptist church.
Mr. Richards married, at Waterloo, New York, November 11. 1855, Emma A. Flinn, born in Geneva, January 26, 1836. daughter of William H. and Prudence (Dennison) Flinn. Children of Mr. and Mrs. Richards: 1. William, born September 1, 1858; married Harriet Decker, and resides in Geneva. 2. Milton, born January 9, 1860; married Mary Ludlow, in 1882, and their only child, Emma, became the wife of Warren Shaw, July. 1905. 3. Alfred W., born March 20, 1862: succeeded his father in the business which he continued until 1898, and is now (1910) conducting an extensive real estate business in Geneva. He married Georgia Bush, of Geneva, in 1882. 4. A daughter, who died at birth.
William H. Flinn, Mrs. Richards’ father, was born near Geneva, in 1809; died in that town, August 11, 1845. He was a tanner and carried on business in Geneva. Prudence Dennison, his wife, whom he married in Oxford, New York. December 31, 1832, was born in Connecticut, in 1807; died in Geneva, January 3, 1887. Both were members of the Methodist Episcopal church and actively engaged in church work. Children: 1. Clarisa Elizabeth, born in Connecticut, February 23, 1834; died in March, 1885; married Joseph Davis, who died in 1900. 2. Emma A., married Allen B. Richards, as previously stated. 3. William Horace, born in Geneva, November 22, 1841 ; died in early childhood.