14 Facts About Alpheus Felch

Alpheus Felch was the fifth governor of Michigan and US Senator from Michigan.

Alpheus Felch was left an orphan at the age of three and lived with his grandfather Abijah Felch, a veteran of the American Revolution.

Alpheus Felch attended Phillips Exeter Academy in Exeter, New Hampshire, and graduated from Bowdoin College, Brunswick, Maine, in 1827.

Alpheus Felch studied law and was admitted to the bar in Bangor, Maine, and practiced in Houlton, Maine, from 1830 to 1833.

Alpheus Felch moved to Monroe, Michigan, in 1833 and continued the practice of law.

Alpheus Felch was elected three times to the Michigan State House of Representatives, serving from 1835 to 1837.

Alpheus Felch was appointed state bank commissioner in 1838 and resigned in 1839.

Alpheus Felch was state auditor general for a few weeks in 1842 before being appointed associate justice of the Michigan Supreme Court in 1842, where he served until his resignation in 1845, after being elected governor.

Alpheus Felch served as Governor of Michigan from 1846 to 1847 and during those fourteen months, state statutes were amended and the state capital was relocated to Lansing.

Alpheus Felch resigned as governor on March 3,1847, after being elected by the Michigan legislature as a Democrat to the United States Senate.

Alpheus Felch served in the 30th, 31st and 32nd Congresses, from March 4,1847 to March 3,1853.

Alpheus Felch returned to live in Ann Arbor, Michigan, that year and made an unsuccessful attempt at a non-consecutive term as governor against the Republican incumbent Kinsley S Bingham.

Alpheus Felch resumed his law career and served as the Tappan Professor of Law at the University of Michigan from 1879 to 1883.

Alpheus Felch died at his home in Ann Arbor, Michigan at the age of 91, and is interred at Forest Hill Cemetery along with his wife, Lucretia.