Gabriel Richard (1767 - 1832) was a Representative from Michigan and Roman Catholic priest born in France. He entered the seminary in Angers in 1784 and was ordained in 1791. Soon after he emigrated to Maryland. He taught mathematics at St. Mary College, Maryland until being assigned missionary work in the Northwest Territory. In 1804 he opened up a school in Detroit, but this was destroyed by fire. In 1807 he was invited by a Protstant congregation to act as their clergymen. He did so succesfully by concentrating on the elements of Christianity where they could agree. He had the first press in Detroit and was strongly in favor of War of 1812. Jump to: navigation, search 1767 was a common year starting on Thursday (see link for calendar). ... Jump to: navigation, search 1832 was a leap year starting on Sunday (see link for calendar). ... The House of Representatives is the larger of two houses that make up the U.S. Congress, the other being the United States Senate. ... Jump to: navigation, search State nickname: The Wolverine State, The Great Lakes State Other U.S. States Capital Lansing Largest city Detroit Governor Jennifer Granholm (D) Senators Carl Levin (D) Debbie Stabenow (D) Official language(s) English de-facto Area 96,889 mi² / 250,941 km² (11th)  - Land 56,855... The Roman Catholic Church, most often spoken of simply as the Catholic Church, is the largest Christian church, with over one billion members. ... Jump to: navigation, search Roman Catholic priest LCDR Allen R. Kuss (USN) aboard USS Enterprise A priest or priestess is a holy man or woman who takes an officiating role in worship of any religion, with the distinguishing characteristic of offering sacrifices. ... A seminary is a specialized university-like institution for the purpose of instructing students in religion, often in order to prepare them to become members of the clergy. ... Location within France Angers is a city in France in the département of Maine-et-Loire, 191 miles south-west of Paris. ... Jump to: navigation, search 1784 was a leap year starting on Thursday (see link for calendar). ... 1791 was a common year starting on Saturday (see link for calendar). ... Jump to: navigation, search State nickname: Old Line State; Free State Other U.S. States Capital Annapolis Largest city Baltimore Governor Robert L. Ehrlich (R) Senators Paul Sarbanes (D) Barbara Mikulski (D) Official languages English Area 32,160 km² (42nd)  - Land 25,338 km²  - Water 6,968 km² (21%) Population... The Northwest Territory, also known as the Old Northwest and the Territory North West of the Ohio, was a government and region within the early United States. ... 1804 was a leap year starting on Sunday (see link for calendar). ... This article refers to the largest city of Michigan. ... 1807 was a common year starting on Thursday (see link for calendar). ... Jump to: navigation, search The War of 1812 was a conflict fought on land in North America and at sea around the world between the United States and United Kingdom from 1812 to 1815. ...

He was elected to the House of Representatives in 1823 and would be the first Catholic priest to be elected. However he only served to 1825 and although well liked his poor English skills likely proved an impediment. After that he became involved in many, not entirely successful, plans in Michigan. He ultimately founded many schools in Michigan several of which are named after him. He died of cholera in Detroit. 1823 was a common year starting on Wednesday (see link for calendar). ... 1825 was a common year starting on Saturday (see link for calendar). ... Jump to: navigation, search Cholera (also called Asiatic cholera) is an infectious disease, caused by bacteria that are typically ingested by drinking water that is contaminated by improper sanitation, or by eating improperly cooked fish, especially shellfish. ...

Sources

• Bioguide
• Pargellis, Stanley McCrory. Father Gabriel Richard. (Cass Lectureship Series, 1948). Detroit: Wayne University Press, 1950.
• Famous Americans page