Russell Alger

Russell Alger served as governor of Michigan from 1885 to 1887. Alger was born in Lafayette, Ohio on February 27, 1836. He studied law before enlisting to fight in the Civil War in 1861. Enlisting as a private in the 2nd Michigan Volunteer Cavalry, Alger rose to become a colonel who commanded the 5th Michigan Cavalry Regiment. As governor, Alger focused on pulling the state out of debt. He oversaw the founding of the Michigan College of Mines in Houghton and the Soldiers Home for Veterans in Grand Rapids, and he established the state Board of Pardons. After his time in office, Alger was elected commander-in-chief of the Grand Army of the Republic. He later served as U.S. Secretary of War and then a U.S. Senator.