514 RICHMOND. RICHMOND. RICHMOND, GEORGE B., son of Gideon Richmond, of Dighton, and Re- becca (Barstow) Richmond, of Scituate, was born in New Bedford, Bristol county, November 9, 1821. When a boy he at- tended the Friends' Academy, New Bed- ford, and Pierce Academy in Middlebor- ough. Two years were passed at Brown University, but Mr. Richmond's college course was cut short by ill health. On his return to New Bedford he engaged actively in business, and at once became earnestly interested in public and political affairs. He soon took a leading place among the public- spirited men of the city, and has constantly maintained it to the present time. In 185 1 Mr. Richmond was elected upon the Whig ticket as a representative in the state Legislature of 1852. He was ap- pointed on the first of May, 1861, as in- spector, weigher, ganger and measurer in the New Bedford custom house, holding the office until January, 1874, when he re- signed. During his service in the custom house, the temperance question became prominent in local politics, and Mr. Rich- GEORGE B RICHMOND mond was at once foremost on the side of the temperance men. An ardent Republi- can, he was also an ardent advocate of prohibitory measures for the suppression of the liquor traffic. Mr. Richmond was mayor in 1S70, '71, '72, '74 and '78, each time being chosen as the representative of the distinctively tem- perance element. To this day, his admin- istration is cited by prohibitory advocates as proof of the soundness of their views. Aside from this, Mr. Richmond's mayoralty was highly successful. His administration was signalized by a new era in the exten- sion of streets, and his enterprise in this and other public improvements contributed in a marked degree to the prosperity of the city. On the 31st of December, 1873, he was appointed by Governor Washburn a member of the board of police commis- sioners, and held the office until the board was abolished in July, 1874. In 1880 and '81 he was a member of the state Senate, representing the 3d Bristol district. The last named year he was chairman of the committees on public charitable institutions and the liquor law. A vacancy occurring in the office of regis- ter of deeds for the southern Bristol dis- trict in March, 1883, he was appointed to fill the vacancy, and has since been thrice elected by the people, the third time almost unanimously. As register of deeds he has been an efficient and popular official. In the spring of 1886 he was appointed by Governor Robinson a trustee of the YVestborough Insane Hospital, and in Feb- ruary, 1887, was re-appointed by Governor Ames, for five years. Mr. Richmond was a member of the Republican state central committee for 1888 He was chairman of the Republican county committee several years ; chairman of the 1st congressional district Republican committee three years ; and for some time chairman of the 3d Bristol district senato- rial committee. In 1888 he declined a re- election on all of these committees, desiring to devote his time to the duties of his' office. Mr. Richmond was elected a director of the Bristol County Mutual Fire Insurance Company in 1889. He is chairman of the board of trustees of the First Baptist So- ciety. For seven years Mr. Richmond was president of the Young Men's Christian Association, and five years superintendent of the First Baptist church Sunday-school He has been closely identified with many movements for promoting the moral and material welfare of the city, and is one of New Bedford's most honored citizens. Mr. Richmond was married at Middle- borough, November 5, 1844,10 Rebecca R. < '.. daughter of Rev. Ebenezerand Rebeci a C. (Childs) Nelson, of Middleborough, by
