Alpheus Felch completed his early education at Phillips Exeter Academy and graduated from Bowdoin College in 1827. He pursued a legal career, studying law and being admitted to the bar in Bangor, Maine, before practicing in Houlton, Maine. Felch transitioned into public service, holding various state positions including state bank commissioner, state auditor general, and associate justice of the Michigan Supreme Court. He also served as Governor of Michigan and U.S. Senator from Michigan, demonstrating a progression from local to national leadership roles. Additionally, Felch held the position of President of the land claims commission for California, where he addressed land claims arising from the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo.

Alpheus Felch's political career is marked by an intriguing blend of judicial reform and pragmatic state governance, underpinned by a focus on regional economic stability. His opposition to the wildcat banking law and efforts to expose banking frauds reveal a commitment to financial integrity. Felch's handling of California's land claims demonstrates a calculated approach to resolving complex regional issues. His tenure as governor, highlighted by relocating the state capital, shows a strategic vision for Michigan's development.