Mary E. Richards moved to Shakopee, Minnesota from Sturbridge, Massachusetts in 1854. She worked as a schoolmistress and in 1858 married Amasa K. Richards, the son of Emory and Abigail Richards. Amasa had moved to Minnesota from Brookfield, Massachusetts before Mary and farmed near Shakopee. Sometime prior to 1864 the couple moved to Wayzata and continued to farm. Amasa enlisted in the Minnesota 11th Regiment during the Civil War (1864 1865) and served at South Tunnel Station near Nashville, Tennessee. In 1876 Amasa contracted to carry the U.S. mail on a route from Chaska to Delano. Mary and Amasa Richards had three children: a son who died soon after birth, an adopted daughter, Ida, and a second son, George.
Biographical data was taken from the collection.
From the guide to the Mary E Richards and family papers., 1851-1965 (bulk 1851-1915)., (Minnesota Historical Society)
