Richard, Frank J., 1922-1987.
Photographic collection, 190- - 1970s (Photo 2074)

10 photographic prints

Biography

Frank J. Richard was born on January 29, 1922, in Wild Rice, North Dakota. He grew up on a farm and attended grade school and high school at St. Benedict of Wild Rice. In 1941, he enrolled at the University of North Dakota at Grand Forks to study civil engineering. He was in the United Sates Navy from 1943 until discharged in 1946, when he enrolled at North Dakota State University and graduated with a degree in civil engineering in 1947. He married Darlene Murphy on August 23, 1947.

From 1947 to 1948 he worked on construction of the American Crystal Sugar Beet plant in Moorhead, and from 1948 to 1950 he worked for the North Dakota State Highway Department in Bismarck. In 1950, he went back to North Dakota State University for a degree in Architectural Engineering which he completed in 1954. In 1955, he started F. J. Richard & Co, an engineering, surveying, and mapping company and was appointed Cass County Surveyor in 1956.

He was a member of several United States, Canadian, and French genealogy societies and historical associations and traveled extensively to pursue his research. He died November 21, 1987, after being injured in a car accident in Cincinnati, Ohio, while returning from one of his many research trips to Canada.

Scope and Content

The Frank Richard photographs were accessioned as part of his papers. The papers were processed as Manuscript 187. The ten photographs have been organized separately and organized into four series: Richard family, Wild Rice, N.D., Oakwood, N.D. and People. Mr. Richard apparently acquired these images as part of his research on the French American community of Wild Rice, N.D.

The Richard Family Series contains one copy print of the family of Alex and Elisabeth (Levasseur) Richard. They and seven children emigrated from Quebec, Canada and settled at the Holy Cross Mission in Cass County. The image was taken in the 1890s.

The Wild Rice, N.D. Series includes four original prints and a copy print. They include images of St. Benedict Catholic Church, St. Joseph's School and a copy print of the church rectory. There is also a print of the home of Doctor Maxime and Albertine (Lajoie) Bellemare with the family standing in front. The 35mm copy negative for the church rectory image was processed into the Institute negative collection.

The Oakwood, N.D. Series contains one copy print of the St. Aloysius of Gonzaga Academy with large crowd outside the building. The 35mm copy negative for this print was also processed into the Institute negative collection.

The People Series includes three photomechanical prints and a photograph print in folder. The three prints are of Bishop Justin A. Driscoll of Fargo; Bishop William T. Malloy and Aloisius Cardinal Muench. The photographic print is of Monsignor Gilles Oullette.

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