He came to Niles on horseback in 1836.
The bride he married a year earlier and infant son followed later the same year. He became known as "old Dr. Richardson."
Dr. Stillman Richardson was born in Cheshire County, N. H. Part of his youth was spent in Boston, Mass. before moving to Cortland County, N.Y., where he first studied and practiced medicine.
However once he and his family moved to Niles, it was home for the remainder of their lives. His wife was a leading spirit in church, temperance and charitable work according to the book, History of Berrien County.
It is interesting to note that the memoriam does not mention his wife or son other than that they followed the doctor to Niles. He was remembered as a community icon, revered and yet personally a bit of an enigma.
Within the lengthy newspaper piece, the doctor was compared to someone referred to as "Abernethy." The memoriam said, "like his illustrious prototype beneath a rough exterior lay hidden beneath the inner and better portions of his nature."
Click here for the full article on the Niles Daily Star website
Published June 16th, 2007