Richard Oldfield came to Downers Grove in 1847 with parents. As a young man he farmed and was in the butchering business. It was said he lost an arm when two men were fighting over a gun that accidentally discharged. He also served as a tax collector for the township. After the death of his first wife he married Emma Ambrose. They lived in Downers Grove until Richard died of mysterious causes in 1884. An inquest into his passing was held with leading citizens of Downers Grove serving on the jury. His cause of death was ultimately ruled to be congestion of the brain.
His first wife Kate Dixon Oldfield and their daughter Alice Kate Oldfield are buried next to him. They share the same headstone as they died about one month from each other.
