Milton T. Richardson, a well known publisher of New York City and for two terms President of the Village of Ridgewood, Bergen County, New Jersey, was born in Westford, Massachusetts, on the 7th of February, 1843. He is the son of Thomas Richardson and Mary Fletcher, a grandson of Abijah and Elizabeth (Livingston) Richardson and of Peletiah and Sally (Woodward) Fletcher, and a great-grandson of Thomas and Hannah (Colburn) Richardson. On his father’s side he is descended from Ezekiel Richardson, one of three brothers who came to this country from England in 1630. His mother’s family–the Fletchers–are equally old residents of New England, her emigrant ancestor, Robert Fletcher, coming from England also in 1630. Both the Richardsons and the Fletchers as well as their collateral ancestors have long been prominent in the history of New England and other Eastern States, and for generations have contributed materially to the growth and prosperity of the communities in which they resided.
Milton T. Richardson received his education at Westford Academy in Westford, Massachusetts, and at Eastman’s Business College in Poughkeepsie, New York. In these two institutions he laid the foundation upon which he has built a successful career. Soon after completing his studies he engaged in journalism and in the publishing business, and for a number of years has been successfully connected as publisher of trade and class journals at 27 Park Place, New York City. At the present time he is the publisher of the Blacksmith and Wheelwright, the Amateur Sportsman, and Boots and Shoes Weekly, being President and Treasurer of the corporation styled the M. T. Richardson Company, which publishes these well known periodicals. He is also the publisher of a large number of mechanical and technical books. These publications are known throughout the country, and represent in their respective fields the best interests of the trade and the highest attainments of trade and class publications.
Mr. Richardson has achieved marked success as a publisher, and through his own energy, ability, and superior judgment has brought his periodicals to a high standard of excellence. He has also taken an active part in public life. As a resident of Ridgewood, Bergen County, New Jersey, he has been called upon to fill important positions of trust and responsibility, being elected, in 1892, a member of the Township Committee and later, upon the incorporation of the village, a member of the Board of Village Trustees, to which he was afterward re-elected and was twice chosen President of the village. In these capacities he rendered most efficient service to the community, bringing to his duties the same energies, ability, and thoroughness which characterize his business affairs. For a time he was a private in Company I, Sixteenth Regiment, Massachusetts Volunteers. He is Vice-President of the Ridgewood Building and Loan Association and President of the Ridgewood Hall and Park Association, a member of the Ridgewood Club, and also a member of the Knights of Honor and of the Royal Arcanum. He is a member of the New York Press Club, of the American Trade Press Association, and in 198 was elected President of the latter body. He is also a member of the Masonic order.
In 1870 Mr. Richardson married Annie M. Rochford, by whom he had three daughters: Annie Louise Richardson, Mildred Richardson, and Mrs. H. Dunbar Johnston. He married, second, in 1896, Anna J. Porter, and they have one daughter: Irene Fletcher Richardson.
Source: Harvey, Cornelius Burnham, Editor; Genealogical History of Hudson and Bergen Counties, New Jersey, New York: The New Jersey Genealogical Publishing Company, 1900.