RICHARDSON Alexander R.

The Richardson family came to Gnowangerup in 1904. Alexander Richardson bought land from Bill Ball. This land was what is now "Minnelup" and "Strathaven", about 11,000 acres. Bill Ball was a cousin of thr late Nat Ball's fatner.
Alexander Richardson also bought what is now known as "Gidgie", owned by Bob and Ken Richardson. Gidgie is about 6,000 acres. The late O. P. Richardson and R. J. N. Richardson were in partnerdhip, O. P. Richardson taking Minnelup and R. J. N. Richardson taking Strathaven.
They were the founders of a well respected merino sheep stud which was started in 1908. When the split came in 1918 each brother had some of the sheep from the stud. The Strathaven stud did not continue but Minnelup stud still thrives (1993). In 1929 O. P. Richardson died.

ALEXANDER RICHARDSON & HIS WIFE            #1
 

    STUD MERINO RAMS AT O. P. RICHARDSONS October 1928       #2

Minnelup was managed by the late G. E. P. Wellard (a nephew of Alexander Richardson and therefore a cousin of O. P. ) until 1938 when O. P. Richardson's sons, A. O. (Lex) and K. O. (Kieth) took over and ran it as a partnership until 1956 when, having bought the farm that was the late Andrew Mathews' from his sons Bob and George, that partnership was dissolved. Les took the Mathews' place and Kieth retain Minnelup, less 1,169 acres which was sold to Mr. Noel Seeley. In 1963 Lex richardson bought 557 acres of the late N. P. Davis's property "Laiden" and Kieth bought about 1,800 acres of it.

THE RICHARDSON FAMILY    GNOWANGERUP SHOWGROUNDS  1928           #3
Back Left to Right:   O.  P. RICHARDSON (Oliph), E. H. RICHARDSON (Saxon), R. J. N. RICHARDSON (North), ALEXANDER  R. RICHARDSON
Front Left to Right:   K. S. RICHARDSON, R. A.  RICHARDSON Sons of  E. H. RICHARDSON

After Kieth died his son Ross took over Minnelup and his brother, Bruce has "Kentdale" at Denmark. Lex and Jessie still own (1993)  "Kalaitha" (the Mathews; property). Lex's son. Graeme is on Kalaitha and his other son, Peter is on Caraia, a farm at Williams which was purchased by Lex and Jessie in 1981,

Every endeavour has been made to accurately record the details however if you would like to provide additional images and/or newer information we are pleased to update the details on this site. Please use CONTACT at the top of this page to email us. We appreciate your involvement in recording the history of our area.