History of Wexford County, MI. Compiled by John H. Wheeler Published in 1903 by B. F. Bowen Biography Page 115 - 116

REV. L. M. PRUD'HOMME

 

The fame of this efficient and popular ecclesiastic, professionally and personally, is widely extended, until today, in his thirty-fifth year, there are few priests in the diocese to which he belongs as well and favorably known. His labors in the city of Cadillac have greatly endeared him to his parishioners, and to the people, irrespective of church or creed, he stands not only a tower of mental and moral strength but a loving father and gentle spiritual guide, with the best interests of humanity ever at heart. Father Prud'homme is a native of Canada, born June 22, 1869, in the city of Montreal. After completing the prescribed course of the parochial schools he entered, in 1883, Assumption College, near Montreal, where he pursued his studies for a period of six years, taking high rank as a student and making an extraordinary brilliant record in the classics. In 1889 Laval University conferred its highest honors upon him and he at once entered upon a course of philosophy which require two years to complete. With a mind thoroughly disciplined, he began, in September, 1891, his ecclesiastical training in the Grand Seminary of Montreal and three years later, on the 22d day of December, 1894, was ordained a priest for the diocese of Grand Rapids by the Most Rev. E. C. Fabre, D. D. Father Prud'homme's first active labors in the ministry were with St. Francis Church, Traverse City, to which he was sent as assistant pastor by the Rt. Rev. H. J. Richter, D. D., bishop of Grand Rapids, immediately after his ordination. His work with that congregation proving satisfactory, he was soon promoted to a more responsible position, the pastorate of St. Ann's parish, Cadillac, to which he was transferred in August of the year 1895. Since taking charge of St. Ann's, the congregation has prospered greatly temporally and spiritually and, as already stated, the beloved pastor has found a permanent place in the hearts of his people, the order of reciprocal willingness and obligation being the unwritten law of the parish. Father Prud'homme is an able preacher, a finished and erudite scholar and is held in high esteem by the bishop and clergy of his own diocese and throughout the state. In the city of Cadillac he is favorably regarded by Catholics and non-Catholics alike, for his many noble qualities of head and heart, being one of the most generous and manly of men, his untiring labors in the cause of Christianity endearing him to his own congregation and arousing in others an admiration seldom enjoyed by the Catholic clergy outside of the pale of the church. Broad minded, charitable and devout, he well deserves the esteem in which he is held, as his life is a series of self sacrifices to the end that the kingdom of God may be exalted among men and souls won thereto. Although a young man, Father Prud'homme has already accomplished great good in the noble work to which his time and talent are being devoted and it is easy to predict for him a long and promising future in the Master's cause which he so ably and worthily upholds. Father Prud'homme enjoys the rare privilege of having built within eight years three churches, namely, at Lake City, at a cost of three thousand dollars, at Frankfort, at a cost of eight thousand dollars and at Cadillac, at a cost of fifteen thousand dollars. A fourth one will be built this summer at Jennings. All these buildings are free from debt and are a credit and an ornament to their respective cities. The reverend pastor of St. Ann's has many good words for all his worthy assistants and for the citizens of Cadillac, irrespective of creed and nationality.