Monroe County, Ohio, attorney and soldier. Washington County, Pennsylvania, native. Married to Sarah E. Richardson. Father of Emma H. Richardson, Mary E. Richardson, Adelia Richardson, Charles Richardson, and Ada Richardson. Graduated from Washington College in Washington County, Pennsylvania. Served in the Third Ohio Volunteer Infantry Regiment (U.S.A.) as a private and corporal from May 27, 1846, to June 20, 1847. Schoolteacher in Harrison County, Ohio, in 1850. Admitted to the bar in Harrison County, Ohio, in August 1852. Prosecuting attorney in Monroe County, Ohio, from 1855 to 1861. Served in the 25th Ohio Volunteer Infantry Regiment (U.S.A.) as a lieutenant colonel and colonel from June 22, 1861, to May 9, 1866. Wounded at the Battle of Chancellorsville, Spotsylvania County, Virginia, on May 3, 1863. Served as commanding officer of Camp Chase, Ohio, from February 11, 1864, to August 31, 1865. Brevetted brigadier general on December 7, 1864. Served as Attorney General of Ohio from January 9, 1865, to February 20, 1865.
