EDGAR D. RICHMOND, county clerk and register, was born in Euclid, Cuyahoga Co., Ohio, May 5, 1837, and was brought up on his paternal farm until 1849, when he went to Shaw Academy, in East Cleveland, for two years. He then clerked in a dry goods store until the Spring of 1857, when he came to Pentwater, to work for Charles Mears. He took propeller from Chicago to Lincoln, and there met Dr. D.G. Weare, who had arrived the Fall previous. They traveled on foot, together from Lincoln to Pentwater. Mr. Richmond took charge of Mear's store until 1862, when he went into business for himself, taking in Woodruff Chapin as a partner. After two and one half years, they took in John Bean, Jr., and together they bought out Hart, Maxwell & Co. In 1862-'68 Chapin, Richmond & Bean had built a shingle mill, the first that sawed shingles on this shore. They sold out to Phillips & Browne, (afterwards Pentwater Lumber Co.) From 1860 to 1866 Mr. Richmond has been elected and served three terms as county clerk and register, and has been Postmaster of Pentwater from 1861 to 1865, which office he resumed from 1873 to 1877, after which he removed to Hart. Previous to leaving Pentwater, he started a store and had a sawmill in Golden, but, in August, 1875, the mill was burned, proving a heavy loss. He continued the postoffice at Pentwater until January 1, 1877, and went into the insurance business. Since his residence in Hart, Mr. Richmond has been steadily elected county clerk and register, in which office he gives unbounded satisfaction, being thoroughy competent, and having a minute knowledge of the affairs of the county. He also does a large business in insurance, real estate and money loaning. He married, August 3, 1859, at Ionia, Josephine M. Rounds, by whom he has one son, Eddie, born January 1, 1863. Mrs. Richmond died July 6, 1866. In November, 1869, he married Lydia L. Dunwell, of Allegan County, Mich., by whom he has two children: Ollie B. and Jerome D.
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