William P. Richardson (Ohio politician)

William Pitt Richardson[2] (May 25, 1824 – August 4, 1886)[3] was a Republican politician from the state of Ohio, USA. He was Ohio Attorney General in 1865.

William Pitt Richardson
9th Ohio Attorney General
In office January 9, 1865 – February 20, 1865[1]
Governor	John Brough
Preceded by	Lyman R. Critchfield
Succeeded by	Chauncey N. Olds
Personal details
Born	(1824-05-25)May 25, 1824 Washington County, Pennsylvania, US
Died	August 4, 1886(1886-08-04) (aged 62) New Castle, Indiana, US
Resting place	Oak Grove Cemetery, Marietta, Ohio
Political party	Republican
Alma mater	Washington College
Occupation	lawyer
Military service
Allegiance	United States
Branch/service	Union Army
Years of service	1846–1848 1861–1865
Rank	Colonel Bvt. Brigadier General
Unit	3rd Ohio Infantry
Commands	25th Ohio Infantry Camp Chase
Battles/wars	Mexican–American War American Civil War Battle of Chancellorsville

Richardson was born on May 25, 1824, at Washington County, Pennsylvania. He entered Washington College in 1841, and graduated in 1844. He was then a teacher, and remained so after moving to Ohio. He enlisted as a private in the Third Ohio Infantry in 1846, and served in the Mexican–American War.[2] In 1852, he was elected Prosecuting Attorney of Monroe County, Ohio, and held that office until 1861. During the Civil War, he enlisted as a Major in the 25th Ohio Infantry, was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel and Colonel.[2] On May 2, 1863, at the Battle of Chancellorsville, he was wounded and lost use of his right arm.[4]

In 1864, he was elected Ohio Attorney General, but resigned after less than a year, replaced by Chauncey N. Olds of Franklin County being appointed by Governor Brough. He was Brevetted Brigadier General in December 1864.[2] The same year, he was named commander of the military prison at Camp Chase in Columbus, and was later Collector of Internal Revenue for the Fifteenth (Ohio) district.[4] He died at New Castle, Indiana on August 4, 1886, and was interred at Oak Grove Cemetery in Marietta, Ohio.[3]

His granddaughter, Rhea, was the mother of the famous American film director John Huston and grandmother of the actors Anjelica Huston and Danny Huston.