FAMILIES M-P: RICHARDSON ~ The Larry Richardson Family
The Larry Richardson Family
Written by Deanna (Lemmons) Richardson
January - 2015
In September of 1963, we (Larry and I) along with our two small children, Brenda and Larry Jr. settled in Darrtown, OH. We resided in the small house, owned by the Transiers, across from McVicker's garage. Larry was employed with Ralston Purina Feed Co. and I was a stay-at-home mom.
In January of 1964 we moved to the two-story house (on Darrtown’s main street) that sits at the curve going south out of Darrtown. Mr. & Mrs. Horace Wright owned this rental house as well as the house north of it, which later Jack and Sharon Hansel would own and now Kelly Hansel owns.
Across the street (from our home) lived Mr. & Mrs. Ed Thome; across from Thome's, on the other corner lived, Mr. & Mrs. Bill Miller. My parents, Robert and Ida Mae Lemmons lived at 3150 South St. and Ken and Carolyn Russell, my sister and brother-in-law, lived at 4211 Walnut St. My grandparents, John and Elma Lemmons as well as my great grandmother, Mary AbigailAgnew, lived at 4281 East St.
We also had some special friends in the town. Marvin and Patty Russell, Becketts, Menkes, Krauths, Hansels. Family and friends would enjoy being together as well as our children. We had New Years Eve parties and would celebrate Carolyn Russells birthday,which was January lst We do this to this day.
Just like my teen age years in Darrtown in the winter our family would enjoy the snow by taking walks, building snowmen, snowball fights and sledding. Great fun! Fall time we would gather walnuts in the kids little red wagon. In the warmer weather they would ride bicycles, play on swing set, play ball, swim and play games. There were neighbor children that they played with: Jeff Gross, Kim Hansel, Jeff Beckett, Carrie Krauth, Kenny Russell.
In October of 1967 we were blessed with a son, Mark. Brenda was five and just started to kindergarten and Larry Jr. was four. We would live at the Wright rental home until summer of 1969. We then moved to the house on West St., which was originally built for Mrs. McWhorter, Ken Russell's grandmother. Larry started working for Walter L. Follmer at this time.
We continued to enjoy our friends even though things began to get a bit busy. In October of 1969, we were blessed with a son, Matthew. As our family continued growing we continued enjoying the Darrtown atmosphere, along with extended family and friends.
In October of 1971, we moved out of Darrtown to a home at 1560 Scott Rd, which we had built by the Bufler Home Builders. We bought the acreage from Larry's dad, which he had bought from Walter Hollman in the early 60's. Our children were nine, eight, four, and two when we moved.
Our neighbors to the east at that time was Larry's parents, Lawrence and Stella Richardson, which is now where Greg & Kathy Carmack live. At a later time dad sold off acreage to Larry's sister, Mary Black, who built a home between our home and Larry's parents, which is now Steve & Kim Wright.
After Larry's dad passed, his home and what acreage was left was sold. Those folks sold the corner lot at Scott Rd. and Huston Rd. and also a lot east of Mary Black. To the West when we first moved here were Pete and Maxine Logsdon & family, which is now Vernon and Kim Hoelle. Kim is the daughter of Pete and Maxine. The farm across the road, when we moved here, was owned by the Ehresman family. Two single brothers,, Homer and Carl farmed the farm. They had a sister Frieda, she married Robert Zigler and had a son Thomas. They shared the dwelling with Frieda's brothers. The older family members, of that ownership, have passed and the son, Thomas, has sold the farm to Steve Kazin (SKJ Farms).
We have new folks in the neighborhood. As our family adjusted to our new location we began introducing small animals (dogs, rabbits, chickens) for the children to enjoy and take care of. Later, they would have swine and lamb projects for 4-H and F.F.A. Larry was a 4-H advisor during their years in 4-H. The family raised some of the animals, while others were purchased. Brenda was also in 4-H sewing and dog training. Our Spring/ Summer activities were swimming, fishing, softball, baseball, fair participation, and family. Our Fall/winter activities were hunting, sledding, making snowmen, angels in the snow, and snow ice cream.
Larry was employed by W. G. Stang at this time. Larry was able to retire at 58 and has been able to help his brother Harold with planting and harvesting crops. Larry has always had a flock of sheep on the place. His retirement has allowed him to continue with this hobby.
With family and friends we have enjoyed many celebrations. We have enjoyed 53 years of marriage; have four children and their spouses, eighteen grandchildren, ten great grandchildren.
We also are still enjoying my mom, Ida Mae Lemmons who just turned 91 this year.
We thank God each day for the blessings we all enjoy.
