Richter, Charles H. (1893-1983)

Biographical Information: Charles Herman Richter was born on June 3, 1893 in Farber Township, Minnesota, into a family of German immigrants. His parents moved to the United States from the Kingdom of Saxony. Richter sought to become a lawyer from a young age, and originally attended the University of Minnesota Law College in 1915. In 1917, his studies were delayed when he was drafted and sent to France during World War I. After his military service, Richter returned to Minnesota, resumed his law school studies, and graduated in 1920. Afterwards, Richter moved to St. Cloud, where he established his own law practice, married Mazie Brownell in 1921, and later helped to establish a veteran’s hospital in 1927. Richter passed away on April 26, 1983. He was survived by his three children and ten grandchildren.

Transcript Summary: In an interview conducted on August 3, 1977, Charles Herman Richter discussed his life within Minnesota and his career as a lawyer. Richter noted that he originally sought to become a lawyer from a young age and entered the the University of Minnesota Law College in 1915. However, his studies were put on hold due to World War I. He was drafted into the U.S. military and served in France until his discharge in 1919. Richter noted that after returning to the U.S. in July of that same year, he resumed his law school studies and graduated in 1920. Richter discussed his subsequent relocation to St. Cloud – he felt it was a good place to open a law practice due to its central location within Minnesota in 1921. He also talked about his marriage to Mazie Brownell in that same year and his role in establishing a veteran’s hospital within St. Cloud in 1927.

Interview conducted by Calvin Gower and James Robak

Includes one newspaper clipping. There is no audio.