 He was an unsuccessful candidate for election in 1882 to the 48th United States Congress.He was a judge of the Humboldt County Superior Court from 1884 to 1889.In November 1888, De Haven was elected as a Republican to the United States House of Representatives of the 51st United States Congress from the California's 1st congressional district, and served from March 4, 1889, until October 1, 1890, when he resigned.