Alvan Flanders
Encyclopedia
Alvan Flanders was a Delegate from the Territory of Washington.
Born in Hopkinton, New Hampshire
, Flanders attended the public schools, and later learned the machinist
trade in Boston. He moved to Humboldt County, California
, in 1851, and there engaged in the lumber business until 1858, when he moved to San Francisco. He was one of the founders and proprietors of the San Francisco Daily Times. He served as member of the California State Assembly
in 1861. He was an officer of the United States branch mint in 1861. He moved to the Territory of Washington in 1863 and engaged in mercantile pursuits in Wallula
. He became the first postmaster
of Wallula 1865–1867.
Flanders was elected as a Republican
to the Fortieth Congress
(March 4, 1867 – March 3, 1869). He was not a candidate for renomination in 1868. He was appointed by President Grant
as Governor of the Territory of Washington on April 5, 1869, and served until 1870. He returned to San Francisco, at the expiration of his term and died there March 14, 1884. He was interred in Laurel Hill Cemetery.
Born in Hopkinton, New Hampshire
Hopkinton, New Hampshire
Hopkinton is a town in Merrimack County, New Hampshire, United States. The population was 5,589 at the 2010 census. It consists of three villages: Hopkinton, West Hopkinton, and Contoocook...
, Flanders attended the public schools, and later learned the machinist
Machinist
A machinist is a person who uses machine tools to make or modify parts, primarily metal parts, a process known as machining. This is accomplished by using machine tools to cut away excess material much as a woodcarver cuts away excess wood to produce his work. In addition to metal, the parts may...
trade in Boston. He moved to Humboldt County, California
Humboldt County, California
Humboldt County is a county in the U.S. state of California, located on the far North Coast 200 miles north of San Francisco. According to 2010 Census Data, the county’s population was 134,623...
, in 1851, and there engaged in the lumber business until 1858, when he moved to San Francisco. He was one of the founders and proprietors of the San Francisco Daily Times. He served as member of the California State Assembly
California State Assembly
The California State Assembly is the lower house of the California State Legislature. There are 80 members in the Assembly, representing an approximately equal number of constituents, with each district having a population of at least 420,000...
in 1861. He was an officer of the United States branch mint in 1861. He moved to the Territory of Washington in 1863 and engaged in mercantile pursuits in Wallula
Wallula, Washington
Wallula is a census-designated place in Walla Walla County, Washington, United States. The population was 179 at the 2010 census.-History:Lewis and Clark reached the area April 27, 1806, on their return journey from the Pacific...
. He became the first postmaster
Postmaster
A postmaster is the head of an individual post office. Postmistress is not used anymore in the United States, as the "master" component of the word refers to a person of authority and has no gender quality...
of Wallula 1865–1867.
Flanders was elected as a Republican
Republican Party (United States)
The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
to the Fortieth Congress
40th United States Congress
The Fortieth United States Congress was a meeting of the legislative branch of the United States federal government, consisting of the United States Senate and the United States House of Representatives. It met in Washington, D.C. from March 4, 1867 to March 4, 1869, during the third and fourth...
(March 4, 1867 – March 3, 1869). He was not a candidate for renomination in 1868. He was appointed by President Grant
Ulysses S. Grant
Ulysses S. Grant was the 18th President of the United States as well as military commander during the Civil War and post-war Reconstruction periods. Under Grant's command, the Union Army defeated the Confederate military and ended the Confederate States of America...
as Governor of the Territory of Washington on April 5, 1869, and served until 1870. He returned to San Francisco, at the expiration of his term and died there March 14, 1884. He was interred in Laurel Hill Cemetery.