Background
Palen was born in Palenville, New York and moved with his family as a child to Fallsburg.
United States representative politician
Palen was born in Palenville, New York and moved with his family as a child to Fallsburg.
He represented New York in the United States House of Representatives. He held several political offices in New York, including postmaster of Palenville, and town board member, school supervisor, and district highway overseer for Fallsburg. He was elected as a Whig to the Twenty-sixth Congress, serving from March 4, 1839 – March 3, 1841.
Palen contracted tuberculosis during his term in Congress, and spent much of his time afterwards traveling outside the United States in an effort to improve his health.
He died in New York City on April 26, 1844. He is interred in the Old Cemetery in Palenville, New New York
Member United States House