Richard Courtright was born in Wilkes Barre, Luzerne Co, Pennsylvania. His parents were Joseph Courtright and Lydia Klinetob Courtright.

At the age of one year, his family moved to Ogle Co, IL, which then was broken up and the area they lived in became Lee Co, IL. In 27 Nov 1838 a brother Miller was born. Again a sibling was born, Amanda, on 30 Jan 1840. When he was five years old his father took ill and died on 28 Sep 1840. Then his younger brother Miller died 19 Dec 1841 and Amanda then died the following 12 Feb 1842. At some point after 1845, Lydia took in or had a child named Mary Jeanne that later became known as Jennie Courtright. Richard always called her his sister. This is all his direct family consisted of. Uncles and cousins abounded in Illinois as the families came out together from Luzerne Co, PA.

Richard was an adventurous young man. He was on his way to California to mine for gold when gold was struck in Colorado, so he detoured to Colorado and ended up around Cripple Creek and Pike's Peak. Letters were printed in his hometown paper to his mother regarding his exploits and adventures.

Richard was a Civil War veteran fighting for the Union. He is listed in the 1890 Veterans Census for Oklahoma that survived the fire that destroyed most of the 1890 census. However, to this date, I have not been able to find record of his service. His unit and such are listed in the Veteran census.

Richard was one of the Sooner Boomers with Captain Payne. He and one of his sons were arrested by the Soldiers and were taken to Arkansas City, Kansas to jail. His son was released to family. Richard spent a few days in jail.

He participated in the first Oklahoma Land Rush and staked a claim in Stillwater, Payne Co, OK. He purchased his patent for his land.

Richard and Hannah were married 30 Dec 1867 in Holton Twp, Jackson Co, Kansas and started their family. By 1880, they were living in Cedar, Cowley Co, Kansas.

Richard and Hannah had the following children: Mary, Amos Wilbur, Joseph, Lydia, Gertrude, Charles Henry(twin), Sarah Jane(twin), Richard, and Moses (Mode)(he later in life used the given name Rex). Four other children did not survive.

Richard was a civic minded gentleman and sat on school boards in his township. He was a cotton farmer. Due to hardships close to the end of his life he had to auction his farm off and sell all farming equipment. He also worked on committees that helped make Oklahoma Territory become a state according to many Newspaper articles listing him as a participant.

He had a long, very various and interesting life filled with a large loving family. Updated 27 Jan 2022