Michel VIDAL, Congress, LA (1824)
VIDAL, Michel, a Representative from Louisiana; born in the city of Carcassonne, Languedoc, France, October 1, 1824; attended college; immigrated to the Republic of Texas; moved to Louisiana when Texas was annexed to the United States; engaged in literary and scientific pursuits; engaged as associate editor with several American and French papers of this country and Canada; moved to Opelousas, La., in 1867; founded and became editor of the St. Landry Progress; editor of the New York Courrier des Ãtats-Unis and the New Orleans Picayune; at the close of the Civil War was appointed by General Sheridan a registrar for the city of New Orleans; delegate to the State constitutional convention in 1867 and 1868; upon the readmission of the State of Louisiana to representation was elected as a Republican to the Fortieth Congress (July 18, 1868-March 3, 1869); appointed a United States commissioner under the convention concluded with Peru in 1868 for the adjustment of claims of citizens of either country; appointed by President Grant as United States consul at Tripoli, April 5, 1870-October 12, 1876; death date unknown.
Source: Biographical Directory of the United States Congress, 1771-Present
