Delving into the segment of Warners descending from Stephen and Elizabeth "Betsey" Morris Richardson (1796-1865) (the daughter of William and Charlotte Warner Morris), it is the perfect time to honor Daniel Warren Richardson (1848-1929), better known locally as "Uncle Warren." All information herein is credited to Dr. E. Russ Williams's book "Kinsmen All Descendants of Wettenhall Warner and Related Families."
The son of Stephen Decatur Richardson (1826-1866), who was the son of Stephen and Elizabeth "Betsey" Morris Richardson, and his wife Eliza R. Warren (1826-1895/1896), who was the daughter of Daniel Rees and Martha Seale Warren, "Uncle Warren" married Rosa Bridget Thomas (1855-1892), first, and Fannie Thomas, second. By Rosa, ten children were born while the marriage to Fannie was without issue.
It was a sad state of affairs in 1866 when "Uncle Warren," then a young man, lost his father who suffered an untimely and unfortunate demise in Lee's Creek. The tragic accident occurred when Stephen, known as Steve, made the decision to move some tremendous timber --- virgin pine --- from his land. According to Dr. Williams, he commented "that there was no time like the present" and attempted to move the logs while his first cousin M. G. Williams tried to discourage him, advising him to wait for help.
But Steve was insistent. And unfortunately, the top pine log rolled down, crushing him in its path. M. G. had to gather a team of men to move the log, which had to be cut into three sections in order for them to lift it. By that time Steve was semi-conscious, the log having destroyed the bottom of his body. As Dr. Williams noted, "Mr. Richardson passed to his reward that same day."
His son Daniel "Uncle Warren" Richardson, who was at that time just a teenager, went on to live an abundant and productive life, until his own leave taking in 1929. To summarize its significance, Dr. Williams shared his obituary from the Bogalusa "Enterprise," relayed here in part:
"'UNCLE WARREN' RICHARDSON, 81, DIED HERE TUESDAY MORNING
Uncle Warren, as he was better known, was a pioneer citizen of parish, Civil War Veteran, friend of the late Col. W. H. Sullivan.
The heart strings of the citizens of Bogalusa were touched Tuesday morning as the news of the death of D. W. (Uncle Warren) Richardson, 81, affectionately known as 'The Grand Old Man of Washington Parish,' spread over the city. Uncle Warren died Tuesday at 1 a.m. of apoplexy, at his home on South Columbia Street.
Funeral services at the home Wednesday at 10 a.m. were conducted by Rev. W. E. Watkins, pastor of the Palestine Baptist Church, Rio, La., which was first organized by the old gentleman, and which church he was still a member. Rev. Watkins was assisted by Rev. O. P. Estes of the First Baptist Church, Rev. E. D. Elliot of the Calvary Baptist Church, and Rev. W. F. McGehee, a friend of long standing. Mr. Richardson was given a Masonic burial by Center Lodge Number 244, F. & A. M., of which he had been a member and treasurer for 37 years, interment was in the Pounds Cemetery, just South of Bogalusa.
The old Southern Gentleman was born January 24, 1848, near Angie, La., but moved to a home near the place of his death when he was four years of age. A cedar tree in a field on the east side of Columbia Street, continued on from Long Avenue, marks the sight of the old home. Uncle Warren would never permit the tree to be cut, as it stood in the front yard of the home of his childhood.
Mr. Richardson was one of those unique Southern gentlemen, with a radiant personality, affable, zealous in life, a firm believer and faithful follower of the Christian religion, prompt in making friends and consistent in retaining them, exceptionally interested and kind in his family life, and possessing broad interests.
Miss Rosa B. Thomas, of St. Tammany Parish, was chosen by Mr. Richardson to be his first wife, this marriage coming at an early age in his life. To this couple were born 10 children, 3 girls and 7 boys. Eight of the children survive. They are M. B. Richardson, Mrs. L. G. Mitchell, L. T. Richardson, J. P. Richardson, Mrs. L. A. Mitchell, of Sun, La., W. P. Richardson, Steve and Dewitt Richardson. Twenty-four grandchildren survive, one being Judge J. W. Richardson of the City Court, and 10 great grandchildren. Uncle Warren has one sister living, Mrs. Martha Thomas, of Sun, mother of the late Warren Thomas of Covington. Mrs. Thomas is two years older than Mr. Richardson and is in good health, often visiting Bogalusa. His second wife, Miss Fannie Thomas, died in 1915. No children were born of this union.
Mr. Richardson accepted the position of a delegate to the state constitutional convention. At this convention he was a member of the committee that settled the suffrage question, which brought order out of chaos. The lottery question was also disposed of at this meeting. He was a Civil War Veteran, having served on Honey Island….
Immediately following the spread of the news of the death of the Grand Old Man, friends and relatives from all over the parish began streaming to the home to pay their respects. People from all over the Florida Parishes were present at the funeral, many bringing flowers. Mr. Joe Burke, 91, a personal advisor of Uncle Warren, was present at the funeral.
Recently when Col. Sullivan died, Uncle Warren stated that he had lost the dearest friend on earth. Those who knew the friendship of the two knew that the statement was correct. Though having lived in a former age, he was just as much a part of the 20th Century. Not long before his death Mr. Richardson stated that he believed in the future of the city of Bogalusa and was an admirer of modern civilization."
Back to the Palestine Baptist Church, which at Rio was naturally the site of "Uncle Warren's" funeral service as he helped organize it, it is one of the prettiest in the parish. It was there at the Palestine Baptist Church at Rio that my mother and I attended the funeral of her beloved Aunt Beatrice Brumfield Mizell (1904-2005) who succumbed in 2005 at age 100.
