Born: Columbus, Adams County, Illinois, June 30, 1852.
Died: Hollywood, California, May 25, 1925.

W. F. Richardson was born in Columbus, Adams County, Illinois, June 30, 1852. His father, Aaron Richardson, was a native of Floyd County, Indiana, but his ancestors were Virginians. His mother, Mary Nance, was likewise born in Floyd County, Indiana, her paternal grandfather, Clement Nance, being a preacher of the gospel and a co-laborer with Barton W. Stone. With Mr. Stone and many of his fellow-workers, Mr. Nance came into the current reformation, and was a faithful minister in its fellowship until the time of his death.

W. F.'s parents moved to McLean County, Illinois, when he was an infant, and his father died at Bloomington in 1854, leaving five children, of whom W. F. was the youngest. Two years later his mother moved with her little family to Eureka, Illinois. In its "district school" he received his early education.

In the fall of 1872 he entered Eureka College, and completed the four years classical course, graduating in 1876. Three years later he received from the college the degree of A.M, and in 1898 the degree of LL.D. from Drake University.

His first settled pastorate was at Pontiac, Illinois, where he had preached during the last year and a half of his college course, and where he remained for nearly three years after graduation. His second pastorate was in Assumption, Illinois. He was just entering upon his third year with that church when in 1881 he suffered a stroke of paralysis in his vocal chords, which disabled him from preaching for more than three years. During this time he lived in Denver, Colorado, engaging in secular business for a livelihood.

On the restoration of his voice, he was called to the Lyon Street church of Christ in Grand Rapids, Michigan, in the fall of 1884. During his pastorate there, the church built its first house of worship, having held its services before in a rented room. During his residence in Grand Rapids he was president of the State Missionary Board during all the time, except a few months at the beginning.

January 1, 1890, he accepted a call to the First church in Allegheny, Pennsylvania, now the North Side of Pittsburgh. At the close of his second year, throat trouble again developed, which compelled him to resign and seek a more favorable climate. Called to the pastorate of the Central Christian church, in Denver, Colorado, he served for about two years and a half, at which time he was called to succeed Brother T. P. Haley in the First Christian church of Kansas City. He was in this pastorate from October 1, 1894 to 1917.

In May, 1877, he was married to Leora Emerson, daughter of Judge Charles Emerson, of Decatur, Illinois. His wife was a graduate of Eureka College in the same class with himself. She died December 19, 1909. Five children were born into their home, three of whom are still living.

During his pastorate in Allegheny he was a member of the State Missionary Board of Western Pennsylvania. In Denver he served as president of the State Board of Colorado, and in Missouri gave the same service to the Missouri Christian Missionary Society for many years. He was also president of the General Convention of Churches of Christ in 1916.

Perhaps the best work Dr. Richardson has done is that of his long pastorate at the Central church in Kansas City. For several years that church had to struggle with the problem of a shifting downtown population. But the pastor remained at his post, and in the face of many discouragements the church continued to prosper. Finally the old church building was destroyed by fire. This precipitated a crisis which would have wholly discouraged anyone less resolute than the distinguished leader. But he at once began to plan for a new building, much better suited for a downtown church than the one that was destroyed. He stayed by the work until the new building was completed, and then in 1916 resigned his pastorate, following what seems to be almost a common habit among preachers; viz., to build a new church edifice, and leave it soon after it is finished. After a short period of rest he accepted a call to the church at Hollywood, California. His leaving Kansas City was a distinct loss to the cause at that place.

The foregoing facts are sufficient to show that Dr. Richardson has led a very active life; and though he has passed the prime, he is still as vigorous and as active as ever.

Dr. Richardson's sermons are mainly of an expository and practical character. He has little or no use for the sensational, relying chiefly upon the Holy Scriptures to tell their own story and the simple gospel message to produce its own result. Outside the pulpit he has done distinguished service for the cause of Christ. Wherever he has held positions of trust, he has been not only faithful but has shown excellent judgment in management. He is not only an excellent pastor, but is a wise Christian statesman.