RICHARDS, Benjamin Billings

RICHARDS, Benjamin Billings. (Milton, NY, Aug. 30, 1823-Dubuque, IA, Mar. 16, 1912). Banker. Richards became one of Dubuque's most influential bankers. He came to the city in February 1854, and entered the real estate business. His firm, Taylor and Richards, went through several renamings to become Taylor, Richards and David, and later Taylor, Richards and Burden. During this time he became interested in a large tract of land between Dubuque and Sageville and had maple trees planted along much of its length.

Richards campaigned against William B. ALLISON for Congress during the CIVIL WAR. Starting in 1864 he served ten years in the Iowa General Assembly, two in the house and ten in the senate. In the late 1880s he ran against David B. HENDERSON for Congress in Iowa's Third District, but split with the party platform in 1896.

Richards was the first president of the Dubuque National Bank and the founder of other banks in the northeastern part of Iowa. Because of his interest in education, Richards served several terms on the local board of education and once served as principal of the high school. Richards, a charter member of the LINWOOD CEMETERY Association, convinced the association to establish a system of perpetual care.

Richard's magnificent mansion at the far northern end of Locust Street was built in the style of STICK ARCHITECTURE. The building, for years the home of Ted ELLSWORTH, was purchased in the late 1980s and renovated into a bed and breakfast.