This gentleman is the present capable manager of the Poorman mines, near Silver City, and for a number of years has been connected with the development of the rich mineral resources of the northwest. He was born in the state of Missouri in 1861, and is of English descent. His father, J. W. Britt, was born in Kentucky, and in 1855 removed to Missouri, locating on a farm in that state. There he married Miss Margaret Horn, also a native of Kentucky. At the time of the civil war he entered the Confederate service under General Price, and since the close of hostilities has successfully engaged in agricultural pursuits. In religious belief he is a Baptist, while his wife is of the Methodist faith. They have five sons and a daughter, and the family circle yet remains unbroken by the hand of death.
Richard H. Britt, of this review, their third child, was reared to manhood in the state of his nativity and studied civil engineering in the Missouri State University, in which institution he was graduated in the class of 1888. Thus well qualified for an active business life, he entered the employ of the Northern Pacific Railroad Company, as an examiner of land, and later was engaged in inspecting the lands of the Willamette Valley and Cascade Mountain Wagon Road Company, inspecting the lands from Albany, Oregon, to the Snake River. In the winter of 1890-1 he was engaged in railroad work on the lower Columbia River, and in 1892 came to Boise, where for a number of years he was employed as a civil and mining engineer. On abandoning that work he became identified with the mining interests of Silver City, and for several years has served as manager for the Poorman Gold Mines, limited. He is particularly well qualified by collegiate training and practical experience for this position and has given the greatest satisfaction by the prompt and able manner in which he has discharged his duties.
In politics Mr. Britt is a Democrat and is a member of the Idaho state board of arbitration, to which he was appointed by Governor Steunenberg. He keeps well informed on the issues of the day yet has never been a politician in the sense of office-seeking, preferring to devote his energies to his business interests. His life has been one of activity and usefulness and he is highly respected and accounted one of the valued citizens of the community.