Frank P. Richards was a farmer living near Rochester, Illinois, who spent his evenings and winters carving. He quit farming and moved to Edinburg, Illinois, and eventually Springfield, Illinois, where he did odd jobs and became known as an inventor. 
 
This group of carvings representing notable historic Americans was arranged every Fourth of July on Pierson's front lawn in Springfield for the passing parade to see. All these items were displayed at the Illinois State Fair in 1920. During his life, Richards refused to sell these items, even when someone offered to pay $2,500 for the whole group of carvings.