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William P. Richardson (Ohio politician)
American general and politician / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
William Pitt Richardson[2] (May 25, 1824 – August 4, 1886)[3] was a Republican politician from the state of Ohio, USA. He was Ohio Attorney General in 1865.
William Pitt Richardson | |
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9th Ohio Attorney General | |
In office January 9, 1865 – February 20, 1865[1] | |
Governor | John Brough |
Preceded by | Lyman R. Critchfield |
Succeeded by | Chauncey N. Olds |
Personal details | |
Born | (1824-05-25)May 25, 1824 Washington County, Pennsylvania, US |
Died | August 4, 1886(1886-08-04) (aged 62) New Castle, Indiana, US |
Resting place | Oak Grove Cemetery, Marietta, Ohio |
Political party | Republican |
Alma mater | Washington College |
Occupation | lawyer |
Military service | |
Allegiance | United States |
Branch/service | Union Army |
Years of service | 1846–1848 1861–1865 |
Rank | ![]() ![]() |
Unit | 3rd Ohio Infantry |
Commands | 25th Ohio Infantry Camp Chase |
Battles/wars | Mexican–American War American Civil War |
Richardson was born on May 25, 1824, at Washington County, Pennsylvania. He entered Washington College in 1841, and graduated in 1844. He was then a teacher, and remained so after moving to Ohio. He enlisted as a private in the Third Ohio Infantry in 1846, and served in the Mexican–American War.[2] In 1852, he was elected Prosecuting Attorney of Monroe County, Ohio, and held that office until 1861. During the Civil War, he enlisted as a Major in the 25th Ohio Infantry, was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel and Colonel.[2] On May 2, 1863, at the Battle of Chancellorsville, he was wounded and lost use of his right arm.[4]
In 1864, he was elected Ohio Attorney General, but resigned after less than a year, replaced by Chauncey N. Olds of Franklin County being appointed by Governor Brough. He was Brevetted Brigadier General in December 1864.[2] The same year, he was named commander of the military prison at Camp Chase in Columbus, and was later Collector of Internal Revenue for the Fifteenth (Ohio) district.[4] He died at New Castle, Indiana on August 4, 1886, and was interred at Oak Grove Cemetery in Marietta, Ohio.[3]
His granddaughter, Rhea, was the mother of the famous American film director John Huston and grandmother of the actors Anjelica Huston and Danny Huston.