Dr. John Custis Richards and Mary McLanahan

---

---

Husband Dr. John Custis Richards ^{1 2 3}

---

           Born: 1 Jun 1812 - Baltimore, MD 1 2 3
     Christened: 
           Died: 11 Jun 1874 1 2 3
         Buried: 

       Marriage: 

---

---

Wife Mary McLanahan ^{3 4}

---

           Born: 
     Christened: 
           Died: 
         Buried: 

---

         Father: William McLanahan (1772-1833/1833) 5 6 7 8
         Mother: Mary Gregg (1788-1826) 2 4 5 7 9

---

---

Children

---

1 F Mary Richards ²

---

           Born: 
     Christened: 
           Died: 
         Buried: 

         Spouse: Marston Niles (      -      ) 2

---

2 F Sarah Richards ²

---

           Born: 
     Christened: 
           Died: 
         Buried: 

---

3 F Daisy Richards ²

---

           Born: 
     Christened: 
           Died: 
         Buried: 

         Spouse: Rolands Thomas (      -      ) 2

---

---

General Notes: Husband - Dr. John Custis Richards

---

Chambersburg, Franklin Co, PA - a physician

DR. JOHN CUSTIS RICHARDS.
One of the cultivated and successful physicians of Chambersburg, whom his medical brethren and the people generally delight to honor, was the distinguished and lamented subject of our sketch. Born in Baltimore, Md., June 1, 1812, of highly reputable Welsh ancestry, and possessed in his childhood of superior social advantages, he began life with all the preparation which a careful and systematic education could furnish. Under the admirable scholastic training, for five years, of Rev. R. H. Davis, in charge of an academy at Bell Air, Md. , and six months' practical instruction at Burlington, N. J., he was admirably qualified to enter the Sophomore class at Yale College in 1830. After eighteen months he was called home by the severe illness of his mother and brother, both of whom died soon after his return. He at once began his studies for the medical profession under the direction of Dr. Samuel Baker, professor of anatomy in the Medical University of Maryland, and graduated in 1834, his diploma being issued by the university just mentioned. After his graduation he began a very successful professional career in Baltimore, but the city practice being distasteful to him, he removed to Chambersburg in 1837. His professional skill, combined with unusual personal graces, soon secured an extensive and lucrative practice in the best families of the town and adjoining country.
During the war of the Rebellion he was unswerving in his attachment to the Government, and willingly made any personal sacrifice for its defense and support. In the early part of the war he had charge of a soldiers' hospital in Chambersburg, and later held the position of aid on the staff of the surgeon-general of the state. At the burning of the town in 1864 he lost all his property, the accumulation of many years of patient toil. He regretted most, however, the destruction of his papers and his well-stocked library. The Doctor was one of the organizers of the first medical society of the county in 1854, and always held a prominent place in its list of officials and active workers. When its successor was established, he took an equally active part in its affairs. He was twice married, and left a widow, three daughters and one son, at the time of his death, June 11, 1874. His family life was a most happy one\emdash the sunlight so freely exhibited in his intercourse with people generally being particularly manifested in the domestic circle. He was careful and conscientious in his practice. His diagnosis of disease was rational and thorough; his treatment prompt to the demands of duty, and his intercourse with other physicians always in harmony with the most rigid code of professional ethics. His presence with the sick was the impartation of joyful hope, his whole expression being of the inspiring class. His varied experience in life, his retentive memory, his fine conversational powers, which utilized his vast store of reminiscences and pleasing anecdotes, made him an agreeable companion.
Dr. S. G. Lane, who knew him long and intimately, thus speaks of him:
"Dr. Richards was a notable man in many respects. He was remarkably handsome; his fine physique was developed and invigorated by athletic training in his youth, and by field sports, which he enjoyed throughout his life; he was a splendid type of elastic strength. Added to his fine presence were rare graces of address and demeanor, courtesy, affability, refinement\emdash all the pleasing traits which constitute the gentleman. His disposition was kind and affectionate; he was warmly attached to his friends; of a gentle, forbearing temperament, averse to contentions and controversies, yet compelling respect. Dr. Richards was a higher style of man still; he was a faithful Christian\emdash a full member of the Falling Spring Presbyterian Church. In the public progress, and in the limited movements of the community about him, he took an active interest. During the rebellion his heart was loyal to the government, and his sympathies and anxieties were keenly enlisted in the cause of the Union and freedom."

1 —, History of Franklin County, Pennsylvania (Chicago, IL: Warner, Beers & Co., 1887), Pg 283.

2 —, Biographical Annals of Franklin County, Pennsylvania (Chicago, IL: The Genealogical Publishing Co., 1905), Pg 142.

3 G. O. Seilhamer, Esq, The Bard Family (Chambersburg, PA: Kittochtinny Press, 1908), Pg 328.

4 —, Commemorative Biographical Record of Central Pennsylvania, Including the Counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion. (Chicago: J. H. Beers & Co., 1898), Pg 20.

5 —, History of Franklin County, Pennsylvania (Chicago, IL: Warner, Beers & Co., 1887), Pg 720.

6 —, Biographical Annals of Franklin County, Pennsylvania (Chicago, IL: The Genealogical Publishing Co., 1905), Pg 140.

7 —, Book of Biographies of Leading Citizens of Berks County, PA (Buffalo, NY: Biographical Publishing Company, 1898), Pg 12.

8 G. O. Seilhamer, Esq, The Bard Family (Chambersburg, PA: Kittochtinny Press, 1908), Pg 320.

9 G. O. Seilhamer, Esq, The Bard Family (Chambersburg, PA: Kittochtinny Press, 1908), Pg 320, 627.