Alexander Samuel Diven

Background

Alexander Samuel Diven was born on February 10, 1809 in the town of Catharine, Tioga County—now Watkins, Schuyler County, New York, United States. He was the son of John and Eleanor (Means) Diven.

Education

Diven obtained his education in the local school and Penn Yan and Ovid academies. He then took up the study of law in the office of Judge Gray at Elmira, Chemung County, New York and was admitted to the bar in 1831.

Career

Commencing practise in Elmira, Diven acquired in a short time an extensive connection and there formed the well-known firm of Diven, Hathaway & Woods, which for years enjoyed the largest practise in that part of the state. He did not confine himself to the legal profession, but, becoming interested in internal communications, turned his attention to the railroad projects affecting his district.

In 1839 he was the Free-Soil candidate for governor of New York. In 1860 he was elected to the Thirty-seventh Congress, from the 27th Congressional District of New York, and served 1861-63, being a member of the Judiciary Committee and as a strong Unionist giving the administration unstinted support.

In 1844 he became a director of the New York & Erie Railroad, which at that time was built only as far as Binghamton. The company’s funds were exhausted and at a meeting of the directors that year it was proposed to abandon the enterprise. Diven, however, successfully opposed this move, procured the adoption of a resolution recommending the prosecution of the work, and as attorney for the road took charge of the steps required to implement this decision.

For the next six years he devoted his time to the task of rescue, including the raising of large sums of money for construction purposes.

He had from an early age interested himself in public affairs, and was prominent in organizing the Republican party, but, owing to his professional and railroad engagements, was unable to take an active part in politics till 1858 when he represented Chemung County in the state Senate.

When, the proposition was made to confiscate the property of the “rebels” he denounced it as barbarous in a powerful speech. As an anti-slavery man he supported the bill abolishing slavery in the District of Columbia. He drafted and introduced the first measure authorizing the employment of colored troops in the field. In July 1862 at the request of Secretary Stanton, he went to Elmira where he raised the 107th Regiment of New York Volunteers from Schuyler, Chemung, Steuben, and Allegany counties, being commissioned lieutenantcolonel. Joining the Sth Brigade of Whipple’s division in the Reserve Corps, his regiment received its baptism of fire at Antietam, after which battle he was promoted colonel (October 21, 1862), and as such was in the thick of the fight at Chancellorsville. In May 1863 he was appointed assistant adjutant-general and assumed command of the troop depot at Elmira. Brevetted brigadier-general, August 30, 1864, he acted as assistant provost-marshal-general for the Western District of New York, becoming later commander of the Northern and Western districts, and continuing as such until the close of hostilities, when he returned to Elmira and resumed his law practise.

In 1865 he was elected vicepresident of the New York & Erie Railroad and held the office for three years.

His last public service was as mayor of Elmira, and he retired from active business in 1879.

Achievements

• Diven drafted the necessary legislation in aid of the road, the first issues of bonds, and the mortgages by which they were secured, and acted as commissioner of construction through its building. In 1849 he was chiefly instrumental in organizing the company which built the Binghamton-Corning line, and the Williamsport & Elmira Railroad, being president of the latter throughout its construction.

Politics

Diven had from an early age interested himself in public affairs, and was prominent in organizing the Republican party.

Personality

In character extremely modest and unassuming, Diven was very methodical in his habits and an incessant worker.

Connections

Diven's first wife, Amanda Beers, whom he married in 1835, died in 1875, and in 1876 he married Maria Joy.

Father:

John Diven

Mother:

Eleanor (Means) Diven

Wife:

Amanda Beers

Wife:

Maria Joy

References

• Biographical Directory of the United States Congress, 1774-2005