T. J. Southard

Who was T. J. Southard?

Thomas Jefferson Southard was an American shipbuilder, ship owner, entrepreneur, politician and philanthropist, who is considered one of the founding fathers of Richmond, Maine. Southard rose from humble origins to found T. J. Southard & Co., later known as T. J. Southard & Son, the largest shipyard in Richmond in its day and one of the most productive in the state, turning out between 75 and 100 wooden-hulled sailing ships over the course of about 44 years, including some of the largest and best known Maine-built ships of the era. Southard retained a majority share in many of the ships he built, thus building and controlling his own merchant fleet.

Southard was a leading property developer in his home town, and owned, founded or helped established many businesses there, as well as encouraging infrastructure projects. He was Richmond's first postmaster, and served in the Maine Legislature both as a representative and senator.