Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1894-08-09


grandchildren and daily takes part in
the deliberations of the board of direc-
tors Of the First national bank, of
which he is O member. Gov" Felch
is man of national as well as state
reputation, having for years served the
country in nearly every public Office in
the gift of the people. He enjoys the
distinction of being the oldest living
ex-governor of any state In the union,
in addition to which he is the Oldest
surviving United States senator, the
oldest surviving member of the Michi-
gan legislature, the oldest surviving
judge of the Michigan supreme court
and the oldest surviving auditor gener-
al of Michigan.
In personal appearance Gov" Fclch
bears n strong resemblan ce to Horace
Greeley. So strong was this likeness
that it caused him great annoyance dur
ing the Greeley campaign when he was
travelling In the south and was often
taken for the presidential candidate.
Mr. Felch Is of quiet, kindly disposi-
tion, and in Ann Arbor no resident Is
held in higher esteem by all classes
than i-e is, and at present the citizens
are considering the question of giving
him public reception at the court
house on his ninetieth birthday.
Mr.. Fclch was born at Limerick
Me-, September %, 1904. His grand
father, Abijah Fclch, was n soldier in
the revolution, and when a young man
took up large grant of land between
the Great and Little Ossipee rivers in
Maine and moved to that section,
which was then a wilderness. The fa-
ther of Alpheus Felch was the first
merchant at Limerick. The father
and mother both died when Alpheus
was three years old, and he went to
live with his grandfather, receiving
his early education In a neighboring
academy. In 1921 be entered Phillips
Exeter academy and afterwards Bow
doin college, from which he gradu-
atcd In 1927. He then began the study
of law and was admitted to practice at
Bangor, Me-, in 1880, locating at Houl-
ton Me, where he practiced until 1889.
His health being impaired by the Sc
we're climate, he disposed of his library
and started for Vicksburg, Miss, but
on his arrival at Cincinnati, O., he was
attacked with cholera and on his re-
covery changed his plans and came to
Michigan.
He first began the practice of his
profession at Monroe, where he con
tinued until 1919, when he removed to
Ann Arbor, where he has since lived.
He was elected to the state legislature
In 1895 and continued member dur
ing 1896 and 1887. During this time
the general banking law of the state
was enacted, he being the only mem
Der to speak In opposition to it. The
bill gave birth to the system Of wild
cat" banks. In 1888 Mr.. Felch was ap-
pointed one Of the bank commissioners
and held the position year, during
which time he fearlessly exposed
many frauds and had many banking
institutions closed. In 1912 he was ap-
pointed auditor general, but served
only few weeks, being then appointed
one of the Justices of the supreme court
to fill vacancy caused by the resigna-
ton Of Justice Fletcher. In 1s43 he
was elected to the United States SEN
ate for the unexpired term, and in 1s45
was elected governor of the state, talk
Ing his seat January l, 1910. The leg
islature in 1S47 elected him United
States senator for six years, and he re-
signed his position as governor and
again took his seat In the United States
senate March 4, 1s47. While in that
body he was member of the commit
tee on public lands and was chairman
for four years. In 1883 he was APP
pointed member Of the commission to
adjust and settle the Spanish and Mex
lean claims In California, and was made
president of the commission. These
labors were finished satisfactorily In
March, 1855, and Mr., Felch returned to
Ann Arbor. Since that period he has
been nominated by the democratic
party once for governor, once for
United States senator and twice for
Justice Of the supreme court. He served
for several years as O member of the
board of regents Of Michigan universi-
ty, and in 1870 was made member OF
the law faculty, being appointed to
the Tappan professorship Of law, and
delivered lectures to the students for
several years. He has two daughters,
one the wife of Justice @. B. Grant Of
the Michigan supreme court