Alexander S. Diven

Alexander Samuel Diven
Diven as Colonel of the 107th New York Infantry Regiment, 1863
Member of the New York Senate from the 20th district
In office 1858–1859
Preceded by	John E. Paterson
Succeeded by	Samuel H. Hammond
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from New York's 27th district
In office 1861–1863
Preceded by	Alfred Wells
Succeeded by	Robert B. Van Valkenburgh
Personal details
Born	(1809-02-10)February 10, 1809 Catharine, New York, U.S.
Died	June 11, 1896(1896-06-11) (aged 87) Elmira, New York, U.S.
Resting place	Woodlawn Cemetery
Political party	Republican
Spouse	Amanda Beers
Children	8
Signature
Military service
Allegiance	United States
Branch/service	United States Army Union Army
Years of service	August 13, 1862 – May 11, 1863
Rank	Colonel Bvt. Brigadier General
Commands	107th New York Infantry Regiment
Battles/wars	American Civil War

Alexander Samuel Diven (February 10, 1809 – June 11, 1896) was an American politician from New York and an officer in the Union Army during the American Civil War.

Biography

Born in Catharine, New York, Diven attended the common schools and the academies in Penn Yan and Ovid, New York, and then studied law. He was admitted to the bar in 1831, and commenced practice in Elmira. He was member of the New York State Senate (27th District) in 1858 and 1859.

Diven was elected as a Republican to the 37th United States Congress, holding office from March 4, 1861, to March 3, 1863. Strongly opposed to slavery, he was the first to draft and introduce measures for the recruitment of colored troops in the Union Army.

Diven entered the Army on August 13, 1862, as lieutenant colonel of the 107th New York Infantry Regiment. He was promoted to colonel on October 21, 1862. He was granted leave of absence from the Army for ninety days to take his seat in Congress. He was honorably discharged as colonel May 11, 1863, and later brevetted brigadier general of Volunteers April 30, 1864. He spoke at the dedication of the monument honoring the 107th New York in 1869. He engaged in railroad building and operation from 1865 to 1875, and was prominently identified with the Erie Railroad.

In the 1870s Pennsylvania native Truckson LaFrance obtained several patents on improvements he developed in the rotary steam engine. John Vischer, head of the Elmira Union Iron Works, became interested and was convinced by LaFrance to back him in the manufacture of a steam fire engine. They subsequently formed a business partnership to manufacture fire apparatus.

Their success attracted the attention of Diven and his four sons, who bought the company in April 1873. They renamed LaFrance Manufacturing Company and appointed John Vischer as a Director and Truckson LaFrance as the company's Mechanical Engineer. Within three months, the new company bought 10 acres of land and built a plant to manufacture steam engines and related equipment, including railroad locomotives.

General Diven was married, in 1835, to Miss Amanda Beers, of Elmira, and had four sons and four daughters. He died in Elmira, New York, on June 11, 1896, and was buried at Woodlawn Cemetery.

His daughter, May, married U.S. Army officer Emerson H. Liscum on September 4, 1867.

Diven Elementary School in the Elmira City School District is named in honor of his son, George.

Sources

• United States Congress. "Alexander S. Diven (id: D000364)". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.

External links

• Alexander S. Diven at Find a Grave