George F. Richardson | |
|---|---|
 From 1893'sThe House of Representatives of the Fifty Third Congress, published byThe Graphic Chicago newspaper | |
| Member of theU.S. House of Representatives from Michigan's5th district | |
| In office March 4, 1893 – March 3, 1895 | |
| Preceded by | Charles E. Belknap |
| Succeeded by | William Alden Smith |
| Member of theMichigan House of Representatives from the Ottawa 2 district | |
| In office 1885–1887 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | (1850-07-01)July 1, 1850 |
| Died | March 1, 1923(1923-03-01) (aged 72) Bellevue, Washington, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
George Frederick Richardson (July 1, 1850 – March 1, 1923) was a politician from theU.S. states ofMichigan andWashington.
Richardson was born inJamestown Township, Michigan, and attended thecommon schools. He engaged in agricultural and mercantile pursuits and was elected township clerk eight years in succession. He was a member of theMichigan House of Representatives fromOttawa County 2nd district, from 1885 to 1887 and 1891 to 1892, and served as speaker of the house in the two years. He moved toGrand Rapids, Michigan, in 1893.
In 1892, as the candidate for theDemocratic Party, Richardson won a close election forU.S. Representative fromMichigan's 5th congressional district. Richardson won the November 8, 1892, general election by a plurality of 10 votes and received a certificate of election from the board of state canvassers. The defeated candidate, incumbentRepublicanCharles E. Belknap, requested a recount inIonia County, alleging irregularities. TheMichigan Supreme Court ordered a recount on February 3, 1893, which subsequently resulted in a plurality of 19 votes for Belknap. The new board of state canvassers then issued a certificate of election to Belknap. The contest was brought to the floor of theU.S. House of Representatives on August 8, 1893. Following debate on the validity of the contestants’ credentials, the House voted to seat Richardson, referring the matter to theHouse Committee on Elections. Following further examination, the committee issued a report upholding Richardson’s claim to the seat. Richardson served in the53rd Congress from March 4, 1893, to March 3, 1895. He declined to be a candidate for re-nomination in 1894.
Richardson then began operating a dairy farm in Grand Rapids. He was an unsuccessful Democratic candidate for theMichigan Senate 16th District in 1896, and was secretary of Michigan Union Silver Party in 1899. He moved toKennewick, Washington, in 1904 and engaged in agricultural pursuits and in the transfer, livery, and fuel business his company named Kennewick Transfer Company was located at 112 W Kennewick Ave. He was twice elected mayor of Kennewick and also served as chairman of the school board. He moved toEllensburg, Washington, and in 1916 engaged in agricultural pursuits.
George F. Richardson retired to private life in 1919 and made his home inBellevue, Washington, where he died. He is interred in the Odd Fellows Cemetery, Ellensburg.
| U.S. House of Representatives | ||
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| Preceded by | United States Representative for the 5th Congressional District of Michigan 1893 – 1895 | Succeeded by |
| International | |
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| People | |
