Legislator Details
Vital Records Information:
Marital Information:
married Sarah Elizabeth Smith around 1881; children: 3, Bessie (Haglund) and 2 others
Number of Children: 3
Background
Education:
public schools of Pittsfield, near Oberlin, OH
Biographical Sketch:
Son of William and Melissa (Slater) Aldrich. He moved to Oberlin, OH, in 1856. Enlisted in the 3rd U.S. artillery in 1867, and was sergeant when discharged in 1870, when he went to Iowa and taught country school for 2 years. In 1875, went into the Black Hills, and was among the pioneers of the gold fields. In 1878, went to Washington, D. C., read law for 2 years, and in 1880 engaged in business there with Gately & Haskell, book publishers; bought the interest of Mr. Haskell in 1885, and conducted the Washington branch of the Gately & Aldrich company until Mr. Gately's death, in 1889, when he accepted the management of the Hanson Battery Light and Power Company, and was also electrician for the company. Held several civil appointive offices during his 14 year residence in the District of Columbia, and in 1890, President Harrison appointed him quartermaster-general of the D. of C. N. G., which position he held until his removal to Detroit. He was editor of the Times-Standard, a Washington weekly, during the Blaine and Logan campaign; was a delegate to the Chickering Hall convention, in New York, when the National Republican league was organized, and was chairman of the Republican Central committee of the District of Columbia during the second Harrison campaign. He moved to Detroit, MI, in 1892. In 1893, he invented and patented a car seal which was adopted by several large railway systems. In 1894, he chartered and organized the " Aldrich Car Seal Manufacturing Company. " In 1896, he sold his interest in this company, and engaged in designing and manufacturing special machinery. In 1910 he was the Superintendent of the board of public instruction.
Notable Facts:
Invented & patented a car seal used by railway systems; chartered the Aldrich Car Seal Manuf. Co. in 1894.