[Origen D. Richardson was born in Vermont in 1796. He joined the volunteer troops of that State as a private in the war of 1812, and took part in the battle of Plattsburg. He was admitted to the bar in 1824, and moved to Michigan in 1829, where he continued the practice of his profession. He was a prominent Democratic politician, serving several terms in both branches of the Territorial and State Legislatures. He was Lieutenant-Governor of Michigan from 1844 to 1848. In September, 1854, he removed

to Omaha, and was a member of the first Territorial Council of Nebraska. In 1855 he was appointed one of the Commissioners to prepare a code of laws for the Territory. The codification, which was mainly his work, forms the basis of the present laws of Nebraska. He died in Omaha in 1878. Governor Richardson was long a leading and well known citizen of Michigan, commanding the confidence and enjoying the respect of its people. In his profession he ranked among the first. In politics he was a Jeffersonian Democrat and strict constructionist. His personal integrity was of inflexible mould. No administration of Michigan ever more completely enjoyed the confidence of the State than that in which John S. Barry was Governor and O. D. Richardson Lieutenant-Governor. After his removal to Nebraska he gave little attention to politics, but pursued his profession and

devoted himself to the care of a large property. Such public offices as he held he received without solicitation, and by a practically unanimous election. His high character and long experience in public affairs gave him great weight and influence in an unformed commonwealth in which it was rare to find a mail over thirty years of age. The revised statutes of 1867 are almost wholly his work. J. S. Sharp and A. J. Poppleton were his associates, but the work was his. He was both an able jurist and an effective advocate. He was a clear and logical thinker, with the additional gift of a pleasing and effective style of speech. Through his strongest and most serious efforts there was apt to run an undercurrent of humor, ridicule and satire, which maintained the interest of court and auditors at the highest point; yet his chief power lay in the vigor and conclusiveness of his argument. One of Governor Richardson's best traits was

his interest and sympathy with young men, students and lawyers. He was naturally genial and kindly to all, and was never too busy for a pleasant word and hearty greeting to the young. No one could have better reason for remembering this trait than the writer. In his twenty-first year, just out of school, he had undertaken to speak on an occasion which had usually demanded older men. When the allotted moment arrived the natural trepidation of the situation so wrought upon the speaker as well nigh to congeal his faculties. Just as he mounted the platform a strong hand seized his. "You have a splendid audience," said he, "and they are all kindly disposed; if your knees tremble and the words stick in your throat, look at me and take courage." For the short hour the writer stood for the first time before "a sea of upturned faces," the broad, benevolent, beaming, kindly face of Governor Richardson, not ten feet in front, was a tower of strength and courage, a beacon and an inspiration. The heart of youth won in that way is never lost. The impress of a noble character is never effaced, but becomes a guide and monitor of youth forever. His family life was singularly happy. After fifty years of domestic happiness, in which youthful vows and attachments grew stronger and more sacred with the lapse of years, husband and wife were called together -- crossing the silent river, as they had so long journeyed upon earth, side by side. He left one son and two daughters, all yet living -- Lyman Richardson, from its origin until very recently joint founder and proprietor, and business manager of the Omaha Herald; Mrs. Z. B. Knight and Mrs. G. I. Gilbert, all important factors in the best life of Omaha. - A. J. P.]