The Austin Richards Family is remembered here with the graves of several family members. Coming to Downers Grove in 1855, Austin and Angeline were from New York. Of their 5 children only 3 were living when they arrived. The Richards bought a farm on the north side of the village. In 1862 their family was touched by the Civil War when their son Samuel enlisted in Company D of the 105th Illinois Infantry. Samuel was one of 3 who are buried here that enlisted on September 2, 1862. The others were John Cotes who enlisted in Company B of the 105th and Alexander Foster who enlisted in Company B of the 105th. Only Alexander Foster returned. John died after the battle of Murfreesboro,Tennessee on July 25,1863 and Samuel Richards died on January 28,1863 in Tunnel, Tennessee. Austin being a trustee of the Main Street Cemetery had his son brought back to be buried here. The loss of their son may have been to much for Angeline as she died 1864. After her death Austin sold the farm and moved to a home on Maple and remarried. He was interested in village affairs and signed the Incorporation Papers of 1873. Austin and his second wife Elizabeth Cole had 3 children. In 1885 their daughter Irene died of typhoid fever. She was only 16 and her death was very sudden She was buried next to her brother Samuel who died in the Civil War, a brother she never knew. Austin died in 1903 and is buried with his family here.
