From 1868-9 Edwards' Annual Directory of the Village of Manitowoc

Richards' Iron Works was established In 1864 by Jonah Richards, who was later joined by his son Henry Charles Richards. This small firm made agricultural specialties (including a wood sawing machine) plus steam engines. By the early 1900s they were making steam engines and gasoline engines. In 1910 they had a very short-lived foray into making an automobile, the "Richards". We have also seen a pedestal buffer made by Richards. At some point the apostrophe in the name was dropped and the name became The Richards Iron Works. The company was still active when H. C. Richards died in 1924 but it appears the business did not long survive him.

Information Sources

• The 1881 book History of Northern Wisconsin, available online courtesy of the Genealogy Trails History Group.

  Richards's Iron Works and Foundry were established by J. Richards, in 1864. The business is still conducted by him and H. C. Richards, his son. The works are principally employed in the manufacture of engines and agricultural implements. Some twenty hands are employed. The annual amount of business transacted is $25,000.

• The 1898 Farm Implement News Buyer's Guide lists Richards' Iron Works of Manitowoc, Wisconsin, as makers of hand-power feed, hay and ensliage cutters; horse powers; and wood sawing machines.
• The collection of the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History includes a 1901 catalog from Richards' Iron Works: "portable, stationary, vertical, corliss and marine steam engines ; boilers ; pumps ; heaters ; dealers in all kinds of engineers' supplies".
• 1910-02-10 The Iron Age, in a section on the Milwaukee machinery market..

  The Richards Iron Works. Manitowoc. Wis. recently alluded to in this report as a possible future builder of automobiles, is experimenting with a new type of gasoline motor, upon the successful operation of which the plans for the proposed extension of its business are contingent. If these are consummated it will mean the purchase of a large line of machine tools and other equipment for extensive new shops.

• Classified ads in the August 1911 Popular Mechanics from Richards Iron Works of Manitowoc, Wisc. One ad is for two cycle two cylinder gasoline engines for automobile or marine use, $94. "Castings and drawings of same for sale."
• Classified ad in the June 1915 Popular Mechanics: "New marine engines, 10 H.P., $65. Engine castings for sale. Richards Iron Works, Manitowoc, Wis."
• 1924 obituary of Henry Charles Richards.
• A YouTube video by David Richards mentions his recent acquisition of an 8x10 steam engine from this maker. A follow-up video shows the arrival of the new engine and shows the remarkably good condition of the engine, which was nicely designed and well made.