Background
Richards was born in Salt Lake City in 1849. He was the son of Franklin D. Richards, one of the members of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, and Jane Snyder.
Richards was born in Salt Lake City in 1849. He was the son of Franklin D. Richards, one of the members of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, and Jane Snyder.
From 1866 to 1868, Richards was a school teacher in Salt Lake City. In 1869, Richards moved to Ogden, Utah. He became the clerk of the probate court there and undertook the study of law.
Richards passed the bar in 1874.
Richards formed a law firm with Rufus K. Williams, who had been chief justice of the Kentucky Supreme Court, in 1879. They served as the primary legal counsel that sought to prevent the removal of suffrage from the women of Utah Territory in 1880.
Richards"s wife, Emily South. Richards, was one of the main figures behind the founding of the Utah Women"s Suffrage Association in 1889. In 1884, Richards was elected to the Council (roughly equivalent to a State Senate) of the Utah Territorial Legislature, for the district encompassing Weber County and Box Elder County.
Richards replaced Lorenzo Snow, who had served in the seat since 1854.
Richards served one term in this position. At various times, Richards served as city attorney for both Ogden and Salt Lake City. He was also the prosecuting attorney for Weber County.
The J. Reuben Clark Law Society has an award named after Richards.
Richards was a member of the 1882 Utah State Constitutional Convention and was one of the delegates sent to seek the approval of the State Constitution in Washington, District of Columbia Richards was a member of the 1895 Utah State Constitutional Convention, which was successful in gaining statehood for Utah.