Joseph Rich
The Paris Post, Friday, 23 October 1908, page 1
The people of Bear Lake valley were shocked to learn of the
sudden death of Joseph C Rich at Centerville, Utah, last Saturday night. The
deceased moved from this county to Centerville about four months ago. His health
had been bad for some years past, but he was able to move around.
A short time before his death, he contracted a severe cold which turned to pneumonia, resulting in his death last Saturday evening at 11 o'clock. The deceased was a native of Illinois and was 67 years of age. He came west with his father, the late Apostle Charles C Rich in 1847, entering Utah with the pioneers. He was the eldest son of Apostle Rich and accompanied his father to San Bernardino and other distant points to assist in colonization in those early days.
He came to Bear Lake about 1861 and had lived here most of the time since that year. He worked hard during many years to aid the development of this valley. The deceased was a journalist and attorney of brilliant erudition. He was one of the founders of The Paris Post and was also instrumental in inaugurating various other newspaper enterprises in this state and Utah.
He was a keen, vigorous and humorous writer and his journalistic witticisms are remembered with pleasure and pride by the people of this valley. The deceased studied law at an early age and was soon admitted to the bar. He figured in many important suits in this region and made an energetic fight for the rights of the Latter-day Saints. He served as district judge of this district for four years, was interested in agricultural and other enterprises and was the owner of the warm springs resort on the northern shore of Bear Lake.
He was also a competent civil engineer and telegraph operator. The deceased leaves a wife, three sons, three daughters and a number of grandchildren. His wife is a daughter of the late Presiding Bishop Edward Hunter. His sons are Edward, Joseph Jr. and Stanley Rich; and the daughters are Mrs. Sarah Stewart of Pocatello, Mrs. Libbey Anderson of Border, and Miss Susannah Rich.
The death of "Joe" Rich will come as a personal loss to thousands in this region. He was the soul of geniality, of good nature and good heartedness. He was famous far and wide as the originator of the Bear Lake monster fable.
The funeral service was held at Paris tabernacle Wednesday at 1 pm there being a large attendance of relatives and friends. Bishop H T Humphreys presided at the service. Beautiful music was furnished by the tabernacle choir and Bishop Philemon Lindsay offered the opening prayer.
The speakers were Elder Thomas Sleight, Bishop Amos Wright, Bishop E M Pugmire, Hon. C E Harris, Bishop W W Clark and President J R Shepherd. All had been life long friends of the deceased. President W W Richards pronounced the benediction.