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Richard, Joseph A.

Submitted by Mike Miller August 2001

Joseph A. Richard. In both business and public affairs at Hammond the name of J. A. Richard us known because, as owner and president of The Hammond Motors Company, inc., he occupies a high place among the successful men in the commercial world, while as postmaster he has rendered services that have gained for him the respect and confidence of his fellows. Mr. Richard is a native of Donaldsonville, Ascension Parish, Louisville, born May 5, 1882, a son of Aimee and Clara (Cire) Richard.

Theodore Richard, the grandfather of Joseph A. Richard, was born near Donaldsonville, Ascension Parish, and there passed his life as a successful and extensive planter. In that community in 1840 was born Aimee Richard, who was reared and educated there and ultimately became a leading contractor. In 1922 he retired from business affairs and moved to New Orleans, where he now makes his home. He is a democrat and a member of the Roman Catholic Church, and also a veteran of the war between the states, having served four years in the Confederate army. Mr. Richard married Clara Cire, who was born in 1850, in Ascension Parish, and died at Donaldsonville in 1910. They became the parents of the following children: Lelia, the wife of Simon Braud, a mechanical engineer of New Orleans; Emma, who is unmarried and resides with her father; Amanda, the wife of Louis A. Landry, a sugar planter of Ascension Parish, who has served as treasurer and assessor thereof; Stella, the wife of Laurence J. Brun, identified with the Federal Reserve Bank at New Orleans; Edmond, a pharmacist of New Orleans; Charlie, who has been in the United States Government service for sixteen years at New Orleans and now has charge of the foreign mail service for this country; and Joseph A., of this review.

Joseph A. Richard attended St. Joseph's Commercial Institute at Donaldsonville, but at the age of fourteen years left school to accept a position as runner in the Peoples Bank of that place. After one year he went to New Orleans and secured employment in the same capacity with the Commercial National Bank, and from that humble position worked his way up through all the departments until he was next in line for the post of assistant cashier. However, in 1914, he resigned his position to become a member of the firm of Charles M. Rodd & Company, with offices at 421 Hannan Building, New Orleans, a grain concern acting as forwarding agents, with which he was identified until November, 1917. At that time he came to Hammond and became secretary and treasurer of the Bres Motor Company, of which he became owner and president in 1922, when he changed the name to its present style, The Hammond Motors Company, Inc. The offices and show rooms arc situated at the corner of Thomas Street and Oak Avenue, Hammond. Mr. Richard handles Ford and Lincoln cars and maintains a large Ford public garage at the same location. Through his energy and good management he has succeeded in building up the largest business of its kind at Hammond. Politically a republican, Mr. Richard has long taken an active interest in public affairs, and May 1, 1922, was appointed postmaster of Hammond, a position which he still retains, having improved the service greatly. Fraternally he belongs to Livingston Lodge No. 160, P. and A. M.; Hammond Chapter No. 48, R. A. M.; Kenneth Commandery No. 9, K. T.; and Jerusalem Temple, A. A. 0. N. M. S., of New Orleans. He belongs to the Hammond Rotary Club, is a member of the board of directors of the Hammond Chamber of Commerce, is a stockholder in the First State Bank and Trust Company of Hammond and the Albany (Louisiana) Bank, and holds membership in the Hammond Country Club. He is the owner of a nice home at 207 Pine Street.

On January 20, 1908, Mr. Richard was united in marriage at Beaumont, Texas, with Miss Clarita Sprigg Flower, daughter of Frank S. and Madie (Vance) Flower, both of whom are now deceased. Mr. Flower was formerly an extensive sugar planter In Rapides Parish, Louisiana. Mrs. Richard attended private schools at New Orleans. The only child of Mr. and Mrs. Richard, Joseph A., Jr., died in infancy.

A History of Louisiana, (vol. 2), pp. 180-181, by Henry E. Chambers. Published by The American Historical Society, Inc., Chicago and New York, 1925.

 


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