Richard Christy (1829-1892)

Richard P. Christy was born on November 1, 1829 to Joseph and Elizabeth Christie (spellings of the last name vary between various records) in Darke County, Ohio.

Christy was a proud member of Company F in the 125th Illinois Volunteer Infantry during the Civil War. The regiment saw quite of bit of heavy combat and was present at the major battles of Chickamauga, Missionary Ridge, Kennesaw Mountain, Jonesborough, and Bentonville. Christy's survival throughout these battles points to him being a uniquely lucky person with the perseverance and skill to match.

Christy was married twice--little is known of his first wife, but they had several children together. He was the second husband of Marcia F. Chapin; they married in 1875 but never had any children together. With the children from their first marriages, the couple moved west to Kansas and eventually settled further out in Oklahoma.

He is mentioned several times throughout the letters by his wife Marcia, and is credited as writing one addressed to his mother in law, Dorcas Chapin, fervently urging her to come visit them in Kansas and enclosing a sizable sum of money ($20) in the letter to help fund her journey. Addressing her as mother and calling himself "[her] son," he expresses his anticipation for her arrival quite openly. From this, we can gather that though they were separated by a great distance, the Christy's love and admiration for the widely-beloved Dorcas never faltered.

Richard Christy died at the age of 62 on March 13, 1892.