Palmer enlisted in Company C, 7th Iowa Cavalry on October 13, 1864. He received an honorable discharge on November 22, 1865, at Fort Kearney, Nebraska. Palmer settled along the Saint Croix County-Pierce County line soon after the Civil War.
Obituary from the January 2, 1936, Spring Valley Sun:
Richard Palmer was born at Jamestown, New York, May 18, 1847, and died at his home in Spring Valley, Wis., Dec. 24, 1935.
When just a boy he came west with his parents, floating down the Ohio River to Iowa, where they made their home for many years.
On October 13, 1864 he enlisted in Co. C. 7th Regiment of Iowa Cavalry Volunteers and served one year, receiving his honorable discharge Nov. 22, 1865, at Fort Kearney, Neb. Soon after receiving his discharge he came to the Eau Galle Mills, Wis., where he worked for Carson & Rand Lumber Co. for several years.
While there he married Miss Kate Arthurs, and they moved to the farm just east of Spring Valley now know as the Kuen farm.
To them five children were born, four boys dying in infancy, the other child, Clara, now Mrs. Ernest Miles, resides at Arkansaw, Wis.
Seven years after his wife’s death he married Miss Laura Wood of Brookville, Wis. To them were born five children; Mrs. Fred Butler of Wilson, Mrs. Theo Matthews of Pepin, Archie of Hoadly, Alberta, Canada, Vida (who died at the age of 24 years) and a son who died in infancy.
He was one of a family of 12 children, 10 of whom preceded him in death; the one sister Miss Emma Palmer, resides at Duluth, Minnesota.
He leaves a wife, four children and seven grandsons and many other relatives besides a host of friends for his honest, sterling disposition endeared him to all who were acquainted with him.
He was of the real pioneer type, a sturdy, persevering man, never giving up anything he undertook to do until it was finished to his satisfaction. He had excellent health until recently, only two years ago he drove a car to his son in Canada.
Most of his life was spent as a farmer, but as the children grew up he moved to River Falls that they might have better educational advantages. After they finished their education at River Falls they moved to Spring Valley, where they have since made their home.
About 40 years ago he joined the Methodist Church at Brookville, but since moving to Spring Valley he has been a member of the Congregational Church.
As long as his health permitted, he was an acting member of the church board, serving as treasurer, trustee and deacon. For the past two years he has been an honorary deacon of the church.
The Civil War and Northwest Wisconsin 