Balch, Nathaniel A. (Nathaniel Aldrich), 1808-1894.

Nathaniel A. Balch was born at Athens, Vt., Jan. 22, 1808. He graduated from Middlebury College and then took the position of principal of an academy in Bennington, Vt. In 1837 he came to Kalamazoo and opened and organized the Kalamazoo Literary Institute, the institution that would become Kalamazoo College. While in Kalamazoo, Balch resumed the study of law which he had begun in Vermont. He was admitted to the practice of law in 1840. He served as prosecuting attorney for Barry County in 1840 and for Kalamazoo County in 1841. He served in the Michigan State Senate for the Fifth District for one term, 1847-1848. In 1860 he was the Democratic nominee for Congress but was defeated. Balch died Feb. 1, 1894.

From the guide to the Nathaniel A. Balch papers, 1797-1884, (Bentley Historical Library, University of Michigan)

Kalamazoo, Michigan, resident.

From the description of Nathaniel A. Balch papers, 1797-1884. (University of Michigan). WorldCat record id: 34422559