Richardson, Lyman

Richardson, Lyman, a Presbyterian minister, was born in Attleborough, Mass., in 1790. In 1806 his parents removed to Harford, Pa.; he had at this time a fair education, with some knowledge of Latin, and in the winter of 1807-8 he taught his first school, which employment he continued in subsequent years. He was converted in 1809, and immediately turned his attention to the ministry. A friend secured for him the position of assistant in the academy at Wilkes- Barre, Pa., of which he subsequently became principal; he remained there three years, devoting all his spare time to his classical studies, and then returned to Harford, Pa., and opened a select school for youths pursuing the higher branches of study. He remained at Harford three years, during which he studied theology under Rev. Ebenezer Kingsbury, and in 1820 was licensed by Susquehanna Presbytery, and soon after entered upon his ministry at Louisville, now Franklin, Pa. Subsequently he was ordained as an evangelist, and as such he preached at Wyalusing, Pike, and Orwell, Pa.; at Windsor, N.Y., three years; at Mount Pleasant and Bethany, Pa.; and at Wysox, Pa. In 1840 he returned to Harford, Pa., to take charge of the academy, then a very popular institution. This work suited him exactly, and he entered into it with great zeal and success, until 1865, when disease and old age induced him to give it up. He died Dec. 1, 1867. As a preacher, Mr. Richardson was characterized by the power of glowing representations of truth and earnest love for souls; as a teacher, by kindness of manner and spirit, and by his wise counsel. See Wilson, Presb. Hist. Almanac, 1868, p. 225. (J.L.S.)