Well-Known Warsaw Resident Celebrates 90th Anniversary
Mrs. J. D (Cora) Richer
by Marguerite Sand Times-Union Women's Editor

One of Warsaw's best loved and most respected citizens, Mrs. J. D. (Cora) Richer, of 212 East Market street, recently observed her 90th birthday. Mrs. Richer's son and daughter-in-law, Dr. and Mrs. Orville H. Richer of Eat Main street, gave a luncheon at the Westminister hotel in her honor. Members of the Good Cheer class of the First Evangelical United Brethren church, her pastor and his wife and close friends helped her mark the occasion. Guests were Rev. and Mrs. V. A. Carlson, Mrs. Mary Phillips, Mrs. Ora Wright, Mrs. Nellie Kinch, Mrs. Melle Baker, Mrs. W. S. Coplen, Mrs. Orpha Laudeman, Mrs. Blonde Warner and Mrs. Jennie Andereck of Warsaw, Mrs. Lois Trumbull of Winona Lake and Mrs. Emma Shell of Atwood.

On Sunday, preceding Mrs. Richer's birthday, members of her family came from Michigan and Illinois to wish her many happy returns of the day. Dr. and Mrs. Orville Richer and their son-in-law and daughter, Mr. And Mrs. Robert Bruhn and children, Robert, Jr., John and Roxanna, of Warsaw; Mr. And Mrs. John Roby and sons, Michael and Brett, and Mrs. Cecil Richer, of Coldwater, Mich., and Mr. And Mrs. Robert Richer and daughter, Sharon Louise, of Chicago, were present. Mr. And Mrs. Cecil Richer, son and daughter-in-law, were traveling in California and were unable to spend the day with their mother.

Born at Mexico
The daughter of Harmon and Margaret Wilson, Mrs. Richer was born May 10, 1867 at Mexico Indiana. She attended grade school there until the family moved to Pettysville, north of Peru, finishing her education at Rettig and Prairie schools.

It was at a spelling contest that Mrs. Richer met her husband. Students and teachers were competing against one another, Mrs. Richer and her husband, one of the teachers, were the two finalists. He was named the winner when Mrs. Richer went down on a very simple word. She always said afterwards that he made her too nervous.

That was the beginning of a romance that was to last many years. They were married Sept. 18, 1890. They were both religious people - he an Evangelical United Brethren, she a Methodist. In respect to him she joined his faith, and has for many years served the church faithfully, contributing of her time and money to the advancement of its work.

To the Richers were born five children, two of whom are living -Dr. Orville, of Warsaw, and Paul, of Illinois. Another son well-known by Warsaw residents, Paul, a dentist, died a few years ago.

The first three years of the Richers' married life he was principal of the Denver, Indiana school. The last year that he taught he began to study medicine under a local doctor. During the three years of formal education that he had in the study of medicine in Chicago, Mrs. Richer and two children stayed in Peru with her mother. She believed her husband could study better without the confusion of a family about him.

Came Here in 1896
Dr. Richer finished school in 1896. That same year the family came to Warsaw. He bought the practice of a Dr. Huff and started to serve the sick of the community in what is now Dr. J. R.. Baum's clinic. In 1905, the Richers built the present home on East Market street which included office facilities now occupied by the son, Dr. Orville Richer.

Mrs. Richer is a remarkable woman. At the age of 90 she is an astute business woman, managing her own affairs. A staunch Republican, she, but two years ago, went from door to door in Wayne township canvassing for William (Bood) Bennett for trustee. For many years she was active in the work of the Women's Christian Temperance Union.

Twenty-one years ago, Mrs. Richer's husband died following a long illness during which she served him devotedly. She was not a young woman but she continued in her good works. Through the years as a doctor's wife, she learned of the needs of the people, and many are they who could say that Mrs. Richer had been their benefactor.

Until but recently, Mrs. Richer spent much of her time mending used clothing after having articles of apparel cleaned and shoes repaired, she sent them to homes for the needy. Mrs. Richer has lived a life of service. She would be the last to admit to her good works, but those who know her and they are legion, do not hesitate to tell of her acts of kindness.

Members of the Times-Union staff wish Mrs. Richer many many happy returns of the day.

Warsaw Times Union Friday May 17, 1957, page 3

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