Brothers John A. Rich (b. ca. 1838) and Russell P. Rich (b. ca. 1841) were farmers in Chester, Michigan, prior to the Civil War. John enlisted in Company H of the 13th Michigan Infantry Regiment on November 3, 1862, and served as a corporal throughout the war; during the latter months of 1862, he spent time in Howard Hospital. Russell initially enlisted in the 123rd New York Infantry Regiment, where he attained the rank of corporal in Company D, and later served in the 95th Company of the 2nd Battalion of Veteran Reserve Corps. After the war, John returned to Chester and married Lovina B. Barns on January 19, 1873; they had one son, Ernest. Russell continued to serve in the army and later returned to Chester.
From the guide to the Russell P. and John A. Rich papers, Rich, Russell P. and John A. papers, 1862-1871, 1862-1865, (William L. Clements Library, University of Michigan)
