In 1884 , Alger was elected Governor of Michigan , serving from January 1 , 1885 , to January 1 , 1887 . He declined renomination in 1886 and was a presidential elector on the Republican ticket in 1888 . Alger 's name was placed in nomination for president at the 1888 Republican National Convention . He rose in balloting to 142 votes , with 416 necessary to win , but Benjamin Harrison ultimately obtained the nomination and went on to win the general election . In 1888 , Alger was elected as the Commander of the Michigan Department of the Grand Army of the Republic and as the 18th Commander-in-Chief of the GAR in 1889
1888 Republican National Convention
1888 Republican National Convention
Russell A. Alger