David Richert was born in Gross Deutsch Konopath, Schwetz, West Prussia to Andreas Richert and Ancke Sparlings. He was the fourth of five children born to them. David married Sara Dirks on 1 November 1829 in Gross Deutsch Konpath, West Prussia. After the birth of their first child, Heinrich; David, Sara and baby Heinrich immigrated to Alexanderwohl, Molotschna Colony, South Russia in 1832 and they raised their family there. He made his living as a farmer as did most in his village. He was elected to be mayor of Alexanderwohl in 1840. They had twelve children but only six survived to adulthood. Sarah died on 21 Jun 1864 in Alexanderwohl. David emigrated to America on the S.S."Cimbria" in the summer of 1874. With him were five of his six children, their spouses and 31 grandchildren. David died in Marion County, Kansas on 24 May 1878.
Additional information extracted from Heinrich's obituary: David Richert was a striking, imposing figure, tall, with a quick gait and a very lively manner. It was a busy life on the Richert farm. Bad luck did not miss him. When cattle sickness came along he lost just about all of them. When an epidemic came it looked like a hospital at his house. One year a cyclone came from the north down from the mountain and it looked as though it would destroy the village. Everybody looked for the worst to happen but the storm only tore the loose grass bundles from the roofs of the houses and some dried branches from the trees. But the mighty wind destroyed the strong well built grain barn at David Richert's farm.
Heinrich, the oldest son, was a school teacher and, as it was customary, David gave Heinrich a horse. Heinrich taught school at Nicolaidorf beginning in 1851. One morning David came on foot [a walk of 10 miles] to see Heinrich and with a sad face told Heinrich that the thieves had stolen his best team of horses. Heinrich did not think very long but went and brought the horse to his father who rode away with tears in his eyes.