I have been working on identifying men in a photograph with Jerome E Richards, and I discovered I may have to turn to newspapers for possible identification (the photo is from a convention). Along the way I remembered that Newspapers.com has offered an upgrade from their basic subscription to a subscription that offers papers that are still under copyright. And within those papers I found Jerome’s obituary.
Some things of note:
1. According to the obituary Jerome died of dropsy. According to his death certificate he died of cirrhosis of the liver. After some research I discovered that the cirrhosis could have caused dropsy, in which case you’d think that the death certificate would have said “Cause of Death was as follows: Dropsy. Contributory: Cirrhosis of Liver.”
2. A new way to spell DeMumbrie/Demonbruen! (spoiler: Demurry”")
3. I don’t know if the three initials for Jerome, Jr or wrong or not. Lucky for me, I have someone I can ask!
4. I can’t help but wonder if Jerome, Sr and Jerome, Jr actually had the middle name of Edmund/Edmond, and not Edward. On Jerome, Sr’s death certificate, Jerome, Jr provided the information. He said Jerome, Sr’s father was Edward Richards, yet we already know it was Edmond/Edmund. Just a thought.
Read away!
From August 15, 1922 issue of The Tennessean (Nashville, Tennessee).
PROMINENT SHELBY CO. MAN DIES AT MEMPHIS
Jerome Edwards Richards Is Victim of Dropsy’s Ravages.
(Special to the The Tennessean.)
MEMPHIS, Tenn., Aug. 14. – Surrounded by his immediate family, Jerome Edward Richards, poll tax collector, and one of Shelby County’s most prominent political figures, died at 1:50 o’clock this morning at this residence, 493 Lucy avenue. Dropsy was the contributing cause.
Mr. Richards had lived in Memphis 40 years and each of these were milestones will marked with usefulness.
He was born in Crittenden County, Ark., February 24, 1858. He was former chief of police here and served as criminal court clerk for 1902 until 1914. He was appointed poll tax collector in 1919.
At the outbreak of the World War Mr. Richards attempted to get into service, but on account of his age the government would not take him, so he went to Nashville and offered his services in the construction of the Old Hickory powder plant.
Mr. Richards married Miss Minnie Demurry at the Central Baptist church and they have four children, Judge J. E. R. Richards, and Bluford Richards, Clegg D. Richards and Mrs. J. Paul Stalls, all residing in Memphis.
My mother lived on Lucy street would love to share stories and compare stories. [email protected]
Posted by: Janet Morgan | 01/30/2017 at 08:32 PM