Alpheus Felch attended Phillips Exeter Academy and graduated from Bowdoin College in 1827. He practiced law in Maine before relocating to Michigan, where he held various political and judicial positions. Felch served in the Michigan State House of Representatives and as state auditor general. He also acted as an aid-de-camp during a territorial dispute and was appointed to the Michigan Supreme Court. His tenure as governor saw significant amendments to state statutes and the relocation of the state capital. Felch later served as a U.S. Senator and was appointed to a land claims commission for California. He concluded his career as a law professor at the University of Michigan.

Alpheus Felch's political career reveals a unique blend of judicial acumen and regional economic advocacy. His opposition to the wildcat banking law, later deemed unconstitutional, showcases a principled stance against financial deregulation. Felch's role in the land claims commission for California highlights his engagement with complex federal-state land disputes, suggesting a nuanced approach to governance. His tenure as a law professor further underscores his commitment to education and the rule of law.