From the "Palo Alto Reporter"
Emmetsburg, Iowa
January 18, 1906

Time again summons us to chronicle the decease of one of the earliest settlers of this county. Abbey Jane Humphrey was born in Chautauqua county, N. Y., May 7, 1833. When she was five years old her parents emigrated to the then far west. The trip over mountain and plain was made in the primitive cart drawn by oxen. They made their home on a farm near Whitewater, Wis., in 1838. She was married to Jesse Chineth Richards Dec. 20, 1846 [in Walworth County, Wisconsin by a Justice of Peace]. They made their home on the old family homestead for about five years. They then moved to a farm near by where her grandfather lived. She assisted in every way to make pleasant the last days of the grandfather's life. She stayed here two years. In 1858 they moved to Adams county, Wis. It was at this place in 1860, during a series of revival meetings at Spring Creek that she gave her heart to God and found in Jesus Christ a Saviour from sin. Her conversion was very clear and throughout all her life she found pleasure in thinking of the time of her change of heart. About 1862 they moved back to the old homestead. In 1870 she came from Wisconsin with her family to Iowa and made their home on a farm in Silver Lake township in this county. When they located here the country was in its primitive state. Not a tree or shrub could be seen for miles and the broad prairies lay before their eyes like the trackless ocean. These people can indeed truly be said to be the pioneers of this county. Shortly after their arrival a prairie fire swept the country for miles around. Their home was always looked upon as a place where welcome was given the stranger and where the Methodist preacher of early day found a home. It was a Mecca for Methodism. Many very gracious meetings were held in this home and doubtless many found their Saviour in penitence here. They lived in this place wielding a Christian influence until they moved to Ruthven in 1880. When they came here Ruthven had but one business house and only a few residences. On May 22, 1881, she was called to stand by the open grave and lay away from her mortal sight the beloved companion of many years. Her journey for almost 25 years has been lonely and quiet. Alone save only for the children God gave her. Eight children were born to this union, of whom one, William Henry, passed away in infancy. On Jan. 6, 1901, she was again called to morn, this time the early departure of her daughter, Mrs. Retta Smith. The members of the family left the translation of a Christian mother, loving helper and good counselor are Mrs. Rachel A. Phoenix, Franklin V. Richards, Mrs. Gertrude A. Dickerman, Charles James Richards of Des Moines, Mrs. Myra L. Williams of Kansas City, Texas; and Jesse E. W. Richards of this place. It should be stated that seventeen grandchildren and six great grandchildren are left behind. In addition to these we should not forget the aged mother at 94 years of age, still lives at Whitewater, Wis.; and two sisters, Mrs. Betsey A. Gage, Whitewater, Wisc., Mrs. Laura A. Richards, Amboy, Ill. Her decease breaks the unusual circumstance, the fact of five generations, the youngest of which is seventeen years of age. She was a Christian woman, a faithful reader of the sacred scripture, a kind neighbor and a loving, devoted mother. She was been a member of the church since 1873 and was reckoned among its charter members. Truly the call of her Lord has been to come up "higher" and to her the words of the Master will come at the final judgment, "enter thou into the joy of thy Lord". Funeral services were held in the M. E. Church conducted by her Pastor, Rev. G. F. Whitefield and interment, took place in the Ayrshire cemetery.
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(Thanks to Ann Bowler for this obituary)