Richards, William A. (William Alford), 1849-1912

Richards (1849-1912) was born in Wisconsin and worked as a surveyor in Nebraska from 1869 to 1873 before surveying the southern and western boundaries of Wyoming territory from 1873 to 1874 with his brother Alonzo. He worked as a surveyor in Santa Clara County, California from 1876 to 1880 before moving to Colorado Springs, Colorado to recover from tuberculosis. He homesteaded in Johnson County, Wyoming (now Washakie County)in 1885. From 1889 to 1893 Richards was surveyor general for Wyoming and served as governor from 1895 to 1899. He later served as assistant commissioner (1899-1903) and commissioner (1904-1907)of the U.S. General Land Office. He died in Melbourne, Australia, while serving as the delegate for the U.S. Committee on Irrigation.

From the description of William A. Richards family papers, 1870-1965. (University of Wyoming, American Heritage Center). WorldCat record id: 33156804

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