Richard Tanner was born in Ireland about 1815 and emigrated to Pictou. He lived on the corner of Palmerston and Faulkland Street, Pictou.  

Under the name R. Tanner & Sons he erected a two storey factory in Pictou town employing over thirty people and making about seventy different types of boots and shoes.

Richard Tanner married Jane Brown about 1840.  Their children were Rachel, Elizabeth, Thomas, William and Charles.  

Richard Tanner died in 1906. His wife Jane died in 1895. They are buried together in the St. James Cemetery located on the Sunrise Trail in Pictou.