Olney Richolson (Biography)

[genealogynut]

Taken from History of the State of Kansas, by William G. Cutler

OLNEY RICHOLSON, stock-raiser, P.O. Elk Falls, was born in La Salle County, Ill., in 1843, and was raised there.  In February 1864, enlisted in the One Hundred Fifty-sixth Illinois Infantry, serving until the close of the war.  In 1871, emigrated to Kansas, locating in Howard County, and took a claim on Section 12, Town 31, Range 11, on the Elk River, sixty-five miles from a railroad; has 340 acres, with 160 acres fenced; seventy acres in cultivation; has planted 1,000 peach trees, fifty apple trees, and a variety of small fruits, has built a good house, 24 x 26 good barn, windmills, twenty acres of timber and plenty of running water, is raising stock, and has ben shipping cattle and hogs from Elk Falls for a number of years; has served as Justice of the Peace and Trustee of his township.  He was married in 1864, in LaSalle County, Ill., to Miss Lizzie Hodgson.  They have five children -- A.J., N.E., Annie H., Ralph and Jessie E.  Is a member of Rollins Post, No. 26, G. A. R. and Meridian Lodge, No. 126, A. F. & A. M.

[W. Gray]

Tom E. Thompson refers to a Lt. Ole Richolson, which sounds like they must be the same person. According to Tom, Lt. Richolson was appointed commander of one of the militia companies formed in response to the Boston raid.

In January 1874, he left Elk Falls and Howard County with Sheriff Titus headed for Labette County chasing horse thieves. When they returned a few days later empty handed, the county was gone.

Richolson was also a later sheriff of Elk County.