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ARTHUR WELLSLEY RICHARDSON - A name in The Bronx standing for stability and prosperity as well as excellence
of service and consideration for the public is that of Arthur Wellsley Richardson, funeral director, at No. 314
East Two Hundred and Fourth Street. His long and varied merchandising experience with such a noted firm as Marshall
Field and Company and his incidental connection with several morticians have given him the best possible foundation
on which to build his enterprise. His business has therefore grown both rapidly and healthily, and his patrons
are among the best people of his section. He is influential also in many phases of civic life.
Arthur Wellsley Richardson was born February 10, 1880, on One Hundred and Thirty ninth Street, The Bronx, son of
Arthur W. and Julia (Healy) Richardson, both born on New York's lower east side, the father, who died in 1884 being
born in 1842. He was for many years general manager of the famous old wholesale dry goods house, Calhoun, Robbins
& Company.
The boy attended Public School No. 49, in the Kipps Bay section of Manhattan, between Second and Third avenues.
When he graduated, he found it necessary to become self supporting, because of his father's premature death, and
he found, at the age of twelve, a position in Stern Brothers' Dry Goods Store on Twenty third Street where he remained
for a year and a half. His next position was with Van Horn and Ellison, druggists, at Forty first Street and Park
Avenue. A year sufficed to teach him much about this type of merchandise. Returning to the dry goods business,
he entered the employ of Marshall Field and Company, in their small office at No. 104 Worth Street. Beginning at
the bottom he advanced to the position of salesman and was the first agent to represent the firm throughout all
the Eastern Atlantic States. He rounded out twenty four and a half years of service with Marshall Field. Meantime,
on various occasions his assistance was sought by several undertakers, whom he helped prepare burials. This experience,
viewed from many angles, taught him much about the undertaking business. In 1925, when opportunity offered, he
bought out the funeral establishment formerly owned and operated for nine years by George T. O'Connor, now deceased,
whose estate had put it on sale. Mr. Richardson has since continued to conduct the concern under his own name and
in the same location, meeting with great success.
His broad interest in general welfare has engaged Mr. Richardson in many activities. He enlisted for service in
the Spanish-American War when the first call for volunteers went out, and was received into Company A, 71st Regiment,
New York National Guard, until it was discovered that the sister who sponsored his enlistment was not his legally
appointed guardian. Undaunted, the young patriot had her so appointed by the courts, which, however, moved too
slowly to permit his joining his unit before the close of the war. He is a member of the Knights of Columbus, Guiding
Star Council, and Bishop Hughes Council, with the Fourth Degree; of the Saint Vincent de Paul Society, and the
Holy Name Society of St. Brendans Catholic Church. He is also sexton of the church. His other affilliations are
with The Bronx Friends of Erin and the Norwood Social Club, of which he was a charter member and the first president.
On April 22, 1912, in St. Agnes Roman Catholic Church, Arthur Wellsley Richardson was married by Rev. Father J.
Murray to Mary Magdelen McDermott, daughter of John and Hannah (Mahoney) McDermott, both natives of Ireland. Children:
Arthur Wellsley Richardson, 3rd, born December 31, 1915; and Elise Marie Richardson, born October 8, 1920.
From:
The Bronx and its people
A History 1609-1927
Board of Editors: James L. Wells,
Louis F. Haffen
Josiah A. Briggs.
Historian: Benedict Fitspatrick
Publisher: The Lewis Historical Publishing Co., Inc.
New York 1927
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