William N. Richardson

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William Nicholas Richardson (May 8, 1839-March 31, 1914) was an American politician and lawyer. Born in Huntsville, Alabama, Richardson served in the Civil War, fighting for the Confederacy. After the war, Richardson returned to Madison County and served in the Alabama House of Representatives between 1865 and 1867 from that district. He studied law and was admitted to the bar at Huntsville in 1867. Between 1875 and 1886, he served as judge of the probate and county courts of Madison County. He was elected in 1900 to the U.S. House of Representatives to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of Joseph Wheeler, and was elected to six succeeding Congresses, serving until his death. Richardson died on March 31, 1914 in Atlantic City, New Jersey, where he had gone for his health, and is buried in Maple Hill Cemetery in Huntsville. ^[1]

[edit] Personal Life

Richardson was often troublesome to the Union victors after the Civil War. He was wanted by the North, but was never caught. Once, he tarred and feathered a Union carpetbagger, tied him to his horse, and dragged him through the streets of Huntsville.^{[citation needed]} He later ran to a cave and hid for about a year.^{[citation needed]} Soon after, he was elected to the House.

Richardson was also very large. He was considered a giant by many people of the time period. Portraits of him exist which depict him seated on a large horse with his feet nearly touching the ground. Though his actual height was never recorded, he was said to be somewhere between 6' 9" and 7' 2".^{[citation needed]}

This article incorporates facts obtained from the public domain Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.

[edit] Notes

1. ^ Congressional Biography.

[edit] References

• Biography at the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress
• Kestenbaum, Lawrence. The Political Graveyard. Accessed December 5, 2006.