Black Bear
​Lawn Ornament

​This lawn ornament of the black bear signified this story and the naming of the farm.  Many Williamsville residents can recall the black bear on the gate of the farm.

The Richardson farm was located at 10671 Dana Lane (East of Williamsville off Main Street) and was farmed by three generations of the Boesdorfer family from 1946-2003 including William J. and Mary Elizabeth from 1946-1958, LaVern and Gloria from 1958-1988 and Mark from 1988-2003. The black bear lawn ornament was donated by Mark Boesdorfer and the story comes from Mark’s dad.

Bear Comes To Illinois

Picture
​In the Summer of 1910, R.B. Richardson went to Yellowstone National Park. Just inside the south park gate was a mother bear and her cub who were crossing the road.  “Uncle Robby” put the cub in the back seat of the car and headed home to Illinois. 

In 1937, “Uncle Robby” traveled to Chicago for the “International Livestock Expo”. While he was away the bear got loose, tore down farmhouse doors and trapped Miss Mary in the south bedroom.  Miss Mary called Arch Hankins who contacted Joe Richter from the Slaughter House located in Andrew, Illinois, who came and shot the  bear in the farmhouse.