Clyde Watt Richards, 1863-1934

For a photograph of Clyde Watt Richards, please see this link to the Tippecanoe County Historical Association. 

Clyde Watt Richards was born 31 March 1863, in Clarks Hill, Tippecanoe Co., Indiana.  He was the third child and only son of Samuel Kennedy Richards and his wife, Susan T. Watt.  He seems to have lived his most of his life on the family farm in Clarks Hill.  He does not seem to have married.

Clyde is found on the 1870 census with his parents and sisters in Laramie Twp., Tippecanoe Co.  He was seven years old.

Clyde is mentioned in passing in several of the letters his sisters wrote to their aunt, Laura (Watt) Braden.    I plan to post those letters as I have time.

Clyde's mother, Susan (Watt) Richards, died in August 1879 when Clyde was 16 years old.

The 1880 census shows Clyde (age 17) with his widowed father and sisters living in Lafayette, Indiana.

Clyde worked as a drainage engineer and was Tippecanoe County Surveyor from 1913-1915.  His father, Samuel K. Richards,, had been surveyor from 1883-1885.

Clyde was living on the family farm in Laramie Twp. on the 1900 census.  Also in the household were his father and two of his sisters, Clara and Lura.

On 20 March 1905 when Clyde was 41, his father died.

Clyde and his sisters, Clara and Mary, were living on the farm in Clarks Hill, Laramie Twp., on the 1920 census.

The Richards farm was located on State Road 52, 14 miles south east of Lafayette, Indiana.

Clyde died on 26 October 1934.  The cause of death was intestinal nephritis.  I have a copy of his obituary, but there is no date or newspaper listed.  I suspect it is the local newspaper for Lafayette, Indiana.  Here is the obituary:

"Former County Surveyor Dead:  Clyde Watt Richards, 71, resident of Tippecanoe county practically his entire life, died Friday night at 9:30 o'clock in the family home on state road 52, 14 miles southeast of the city.  Born on the farm where he died, he was a son of Samuel and Susan (Watt) Richards.  His entire life, with the exception of eight years during his childhood, was spent on the Richards farm near Clark's Hill.  He was never married.  His father was an engineer and under him the son became an expert drainage engineer, having served a term as county surveyor, being elected in 1912 on the democratic ticket.  Mr. Richards took an active part in the Christian church Sunday school at Clark's Hill.  He leaves one sister, Mrs. W.A. Coyner, who lives on the Richards farm.  The body was removed to the Coyner funeral home in Colfax and later returned to the family residence, where services will be conducted Monday afternoon at 2 o'clock.  Interment in Spring Vale cemetery."

Clyde was buried in Spring Vale Cemetery.