Harry C. Richards
Aug. 4, 1875-March 18, 1939
Niles Daily Star, Monday, March 20, 1939, page 1, col. 7, continued on Page 2, col. 1, microfilm Niles District Library
HARRY C. RICHARDS TAKEN BY DEATH
President of Garden City Fan Co., Civic Leader, Stricken Saturday
Confined to his home for the last five months with a heart ailment, Harry C. Richards, president of the Garden City Fan company, one of Niles oldest industries, died at o'clock Saturday night in his home, 533 Hickory street. He was 63 years old.
The body is at the Price and Kiger funeral home where friends may call. Services will be held at 2 o'clock Wednesday afternoon in Trinity Episcopal church with the Rev. Harry L. Nicholson officiating. Interment will be in Silverbrook mausoleum.
Active in civic affairs, Mr. Richards was a member of the Niles board of public works from November, 1927, to May, 1934. He also served as a member of the city council, being elected as First ward alderman in 1919. He resigned in 1920 when he moved into another ward, but in 1923 he was appointed to fill the unexpired term of Norman P. Beebe, the Third ward alderman.
Was Widely Known
Through his business affiliations, Mr. Richards had gained a wide circle of friends, and was highly regarded by his associates. He was a member of the Elks and Masonic lodge, No. 572 of Toledo.
Mr. Richards had served as president of the Garden City Fan company since 1910 when he came to Niles from Toledo. Under his supervision, the company had prospered.
January 14, 1937 fire razed the north building of the plant at Wayne and Eighth streets, causing loss of approximately $100,000. The building was rebuilt and operations continued.
Close friends of Mr. Richards believed that this fire was partially responsible for his failing health. Since his illness Bert Tennyson has been managing the factory.
Native of Port Huron
Mr. Richards was born in Port Huron, Aug. 4, 1875, the son of the late Harry G. and Anna G. Richards.
He is survived by his widow, the former Cleia French, whom he married in Ganges, Mich., in 1902; three sons, Harry C. Richards, Jr., Mishawaka, and Jack and Robert Richards, living at home; two sisters, Mrs. Elmer E. Davis, Toledo, and Mrs. Claude O. Mann, Detroit; also a brother, Robert D. Richards, Cleveland.
Mr. Richards' body will lie in . ..[illegible] . . .form 11:00 o'clock Wednesday until the hour of the funeral.
Dave Lowe, Bert Tennyson, George Correll, Thomas Flanagan, William Gardner and George Heck will serve as pallbearers.
Niles Daily Star, Tuesday, March 21, 1939, page 2, col. 7, microfilm Niles District Library
Richards Rites Wednesday at 2, Trinity Church
The Rev. Harry L. Nicholson will conduct funeral services for Harry C. Richards, 63, at 2 o'clock Wednesday afternoon in Trinity Episcpal church.
The body will lie in state in the church from 12:30 o'clock until the hour of the funeral. Interment will be in Silverbrook mausoleum.
Pallbearers will be Dave Lowe, Bert Tennyson, George Correll, Thomas Flanagan, William Gardner and George Heck. Friends may call at the Price and Kiger funeral home until noon Wednesday.
Mr. Richards, who had served a president of the Garden City Fan company since 1910, died Saturday night in his home, 533 Hickory street. He had been ill for five months.