The friends of John V Richards were pained to learn of his death at his home near Lake Ottesee yesterday morning.

Mr. Richards was a man whose integrity was never called in question. His ancestors were of strong vigorous old Scotch-Irish stock, who with the Mosers, Blackburn, Hendersons and Bradshaws settled the beautiful Long Creek country in Jefferson County and whose descendants are scattered all over East Tennessee and the west. Those old pioneers established those old Presbyterian church of Westminster, St. Paul and Hopewell, now entered on their second century.

Among this people, Mr. Richards was born, seventy-three years ago. About forty years ago he joined the Presbyterian church at Mt. Horeb in Jefferson County, then ministered to be the Rev. Nathaniel Hood. He lived a pure Christian life. In him the suffering and the needy found a ready helper.

His quiet unostentatious aims are recorded as work for the Master whom he loved. He leaves the rich legacy of the memory of a pure, honest, Christian life for his children and grandchildren. His aged widow has the sympathy of all who have so long known herself and husband.

Funeral services will be held at the First Cumberland Presbyterian Church this morning at 10:30 o'clock. Interment in New Gray Cemetery.

Source: The Knoxville Weekly Journal, Wednesday, December 14, 1892

Transcribed by Robert McGinnis