Richey, William E., writer and curio collector, was born in Lee township, Athens county, Ohio, June 1, 1841. His education began in the common schools and was finished at Muskingum College, New Concord, Ohio. In Aug., 1861, he enlisted in Company A, Fifteenth Ohio infantry, and was mustered out in Dec., 1865, after having taken part in numerous engagements. During his service in the army he was war correspondent for several different newspapers, and after his discharge a medal of honor was voted him by Congress for heroic work between the lines at Chickamauga. In 1873 he came to Kansas, locating first at Manhattan and afterward on a farm near Harveyville, Wabaunsee county, later serving two terms as county superintendent of public instruction. Much of his time has been spent in original investigations of a historical nature, and in his collection of curios are some very valuable relics, including a two-edged sword bearing the initials of one of Coronado's captains, which he found in central Kansas. This sword is now in the collections of the Kansas Historical Society.