THE

ODD-FELLOWS' MAGAZINE.

JANUARY, 1861.

Ino. Richardson, P.G.M.

THE Manchester Unity, in common with many of the now powerful political institutions of the age, has, in the course of its generally prosperous career, on several occasions been subjected to severe trials, arising from divided councils and even open rebellion. The last great convulsion shook the fabric of the Unity to its foundations, and threatened its ultimate disintegration. But although the danger was imminent, it was averted by the steadfast labour and practical intelligence of the "party of progress" at the time. It has often been remarked that the necessities of any age always themselves produce the man or men competent to work out its true mission in the progressive development of human destiny. Such was the case during the convulsion which followed the measures of financial reform inaugurated by the Newcastle Annual Moveable Committee in 1844. Amongst other previously but little known men, who sprang up to the surface, and proved themselves equal to the direction of affairs during that troubled period, the subject of this memoir stands conspicuously forward. He was placed by the general voice at the helm, when the tempest-tossed bark of OddFellowship, having gallantly outridden the gale, and, although somewhat strained and dismantled, gained the harbour of refuge, from which, refitted, she afterwards commenced her present uninterrupted voyage of everincreasing prosperity.

Mr. Jno. Richardson was born at Cockermouth, on the 26th of July, 1816. He is the only son of Mr. Jno. Richardson, sen., wholesale brewer, formerly of that town. On leaving school, he expressed a wish to study for the Church; but domestic considerations eventually induced him to abandon the idea. Mr. Richardson commenced his career of philanthropy in his early youth. A warm friend to the education of the people, and the general diffusion of knowledge, he devoted a considerable portion of his time, energy, and talent, to the fulfilment of the duties of secretary of the General Sunday School established in his native town. On attaining his majority, the teachers of the school expressed their sense of the value of

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his services by the presentation to him of a handsome silver inkstand, of the value of ten guineas, bearing a highly complimentary inscription. Mr. Richardson, at an early period of his life, entered the business establishment of his father, and eventually, in 1850, undertook its entire management. At this period, the business was one of the most extensive of its class in the county of Cumberland.

In September, 1838, he was married to Annie, youngest daughter of the late Mr. A. Hetherington. Mrs. R., who possesses considerable literary taste and ability, contributed to one of the earlier numbers of the present Magazine a very truthful and touching article, entitled "Old Letters."

Having been induced to attend on two or three occasions the celebration of the anniversary of the Loyal Derwent Lodge, Mr. Richardson clearly saw the great practical value of such an institution as the Manchester Unity; and he determined to express his approval by joining the Lodge, not as an honorary but as a subscribing and a working member. From the period of his initiation till 1843, when he was chosen Grand Master of the Cockermouth District, his services were chiefly confined to the advocacy of the cause of Odd-Fellowship at the anniversary dinners of the Lodges in his neighbourhood; but, on his being called upon to fill that important and responsible office, he resolved to extend the sphere of his labour; and, accordingly, he visited all the Lodges of the District, for the purpose of advocating the establishment of a Widow and Orphans' Fund. In this instance, as in many others of a minor character, his efforts were crowned with complete success.

At Aspatria, near Cockermouth, Mr. R. determined to deliver a public lecture on Odd-Fellowship, with a view to enlighten the minds of many influential persons who had imbibed a strong prejudice against the Order. Although this was his first attempt of the kind, he was eminently successful. The Carlisle Journal described it as "a most interesting and eloquent discourse, which made a deep impression on the assembly, and was warmly greeted with applause throughout."

In 1843, the proceedings of Odd-Fellowship were attacked by a writer in a Maryport publication. Mr. R. fearlessly challenged the author to a public discussion, but this was declined. He, however, delivered an eloquent address on the subject to a large public meeting, which unanimously condemned the course pursued by the Maryport scribe.

Mr. R. was chiefly instrumental in the opening of several new Lodges in various localities in the neighbourhood of Cockermouth. He first represented his District at the Annual Meeting of the Unity in 1844, at Newcastle-on-Tyne. In November, in the same year, the members, as a recognition of the value of his services to the Order, presented him with a handsome gold watch and appendages, of the value of thirty guineas.

In 1848, the ever-memorable "Corn-exchange Meeting" was held in Manchester, to investigate matters in dispute between the Executive Government and the Corresponding Secretary of the Order. Passion and party zeal were rampant throughout the Unity. Mr. Richardson, as a man of known probity and ability, was called upon to preside over the deliberations of this singularly unpromising assembly. But his firmness, his evident knowledge of his duties, and, above all, his uniformly courteous and gentlemanly demeanour, carried him triumphantly through his arduous task with the