William Aldrich

This article is about William Aldrich, the U.S. Representative from Illinois. For William Farrington Aldrich, the U.S. Representative from Alabama, see William F. Aldrich. For the American painter, see William Aldrich (painter).

William Aldrich
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Illinois's 1st district
In office March 4, 1877 – March 3, 1883
Preceded by	Bernard G. Caulfield
Succeeded by	Ransom W. Dunham
Member of the Chicago City Council from the 3rd ward
In office 1876–1877
Member of the Wisconsin State Assembly from the Manitowoc 1st district
In office January 12, 1859 – January 11, 1860
Preceded by	Henry C. Hamilton
Succeeded by	Joseph Rankin
Chairman of the Manitowoc County Board
In office 1857–1858
Personal details
Born	(1820-01-19)January 19, 1820 Greenfield, New York, U.S.
Died	December 3, 1885(1885-12-03) (aged 65) Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, U.S.
Resting place	Rosehill Cemetery Chicago, Illinois
Political party	Republican
Spouses	Anna Mary (Howard) Aldrich (died 1911)
Children	William Howard Aldrich (b. 1847; died 1915) James Franklin Aldrich (b. 1853; died 1933) Charles Benjamin Aldrich (b. 1855; died 1861) Frederick Clement Aldrich (b. 1862; died 1948)
Parent	Mercy (Farnum) Aldrich (mother)

William Aldrich (January 19, 1820 – December 3, 1885) was an American Republican politician who served as Congressman from the state of Illinois.

Biography

He was born in Greenfield Center in the Town of Greenfield in New York. He attended local schools and taught school himself.

Aldrich moved to Michigan and then to Two Rivers, Wisconsin, where he worked as a shopkeeper and manufacturer. He served as superintendent of schools from 1855 to 1856 and chairman of the county board of supervisors from 1857 to 1858. In 1859 he was elected to the Wisconsin State Assembly. He moved to Chicago, Illinois in 1861 and opened another shop.

He served as congressman from 1877 to 1883 after having earlier served in the Chicago City Council in 1876.

Aldrich died in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin. He is buried in Rosehill Cemetery in Chicago. His son, James Franklin Aldrich also became a Congressman, holding the same congressional seat as his father.

External links

• United States Congress. "William Aldrich (id: A000086)". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.