Friend William Richardson | |
---|---|
25th Governor of California | |
In office January 9, 1923 – January 4, 1927 |
|
Lieutenant | C. C. Young |
Preceded by | William D. Stephens |
Succeeded by | C. C. Young |
21st California State Treasurer | |
In office January 5, 1915 – January 9, 1923 |
|
Governor |
Hiram Johnson William Stephens |
Preceded by | Edward D. Roberts |
Succeeded by | Charles G. Johnson |
Personal details | |
Born |
Friends Colony, Michigan |
December 1, 1865
Died | September 6, 1943 Berkeley, California |
(aged 77)
Political party | Progressive; Republican |
Spouse(s) | Augusta Felder |
Profession | Publisher, politician |
Religion | Quaker |
Friend William Richardson (born William Richardson) (December 1, 1865 – September 6, 1943), was an American newspaper publisher and politician. A member of the Progressive Party and later the Republican Party, Richardson was elected as the California State Treasurer from 1915 to 1923, and shortly afterwards as the 25th governor of California from 1923 to 1927. Richardson's governorship marked a sharp reversal in policies from previous administrations, rolling back many of the Progressive reforms and state governmental agencies put in place by previous governors Hiram Johnson and William Stephens.
William Richardson was born in December 1865 to William and Rhoda Richardson at Friends Colony, Michigan, a Quaker township located outside of Ann Arbor. Early in his life, William legally changed his first name to "Friend", the traditional Quaker greeting. In his young adult life, Richardson worked as a county clerk and law librarian, and following his move to San Bernardino, California, married Augusta Felder in 1891, with whom he had five children. Five years later, Richardson became the owner and newspaper editor of The San Bernardino Times Index.
In 1900, Richardson relocated to Berkeley where he purchased within a year The Berkeley Daily Gazette and became active in the California Press Association. Due to greater name recognition, Richardson was increasingly noticed by the state government. In 1901, Richardson was appointed as Superintendent of the State Printing Office with the consent of the California State Legislature and Governor Henry Gage. The Richardson family relocated to Sacramento where he assumed state printing responsibilities, while at the same time, continuing to own his newspapers in both San Bernardino and Berkeley.