Biography of David W. Aldrich, pages 326 / 327.  History of Northeast 
Indiana; LaGrange, Steuben, Noble and DeKalb Counties, Vol. II, under the 
supervision of Ira Ford, Orville Stevens, William H. McEwen, and William H. 
McIntosh.  The Lewis Publishing Company, Chicago and New York, 1920.

   David W. Aldrich. A citizen whose influence for good has been proved on 
numberless occasion, a prosperous and high grade farmer, David W. Aldrich 
has played a useful and valuable part in the citizenship of Richland Township 
of Steuben County.  While he has lived in that county the greater part of 
his life, Mr. Aldrich represents the pioneer family of Aldrich in DeKalb 
County. The very first settler in Troy Township of that county was an 
Aldrich, and David W. Aldrich is descended from one of the family who came 
very shortly afterward.
   The Aldrichs were sturdy New Englanders.  Simeon Aldrich, grandfather 
of David W., was a native of Vermont and married in that state Emile 
McClure, also a native there.  Following their marriage they penetrated 
the western wilderness as far as Medina County, Ohio, and a few years 
later, in 1836, joined the pioneer Aldrich settlement in Troy Township 
DeKalb County.   Simeon Aldrich had the real spirit of the pioneer, and 
after many years of quiet routine in Indiana he joined the California 
Argonausts of 1849, making the trip overland and afterward going West 
again, taking in Idaho in his tour.  Simeon Aldrich and wife had the 
following children: Emily, John Henry, Timothy, Simeon, Jr., Abigail, Lucy 
Ann, Lucinda and Jonas.
   John Henry Aldrich was born in Medina County, Ohio, in 1834 and died in 
1908.  He married Olive Wright, a native of New York State, daughter of 
Alexander and Orpha (Cook) Wright.  John Henry Aldrich was an infant when 
brought to DeKalb County.  He began farming as a youth in Troy Township, 
and in 1868 traded his farm there for one in Richland Township of Steuben 
County, in section 30.  He owned 327 acres in Richland Township and also 
had 120 acres in Otsego Township.  In 1883 he removed to Butler and 
engaged in the buying and shipping of livestock for about ten years, after 
which he returned to his Richland Township farm, and the last two years of 
his life he lived in Hamilton.  He was a member of the Methodist Church at 
Hamilton.  His four children were: David W.; Simeon R., who married Louise 
Hicks and is now deceased; Charles E., who married Etta Dirrim; and Hiram 
H., who married Bonnie Shook.
   David W. Aldrich, who was born in Troy Township of DeKalb County, 
November 27, 1859, was reared and educated in Steuben County in Otsego and 
Richland townships, and as a young man entered upon the business of farming 
at the place where he now resides.  In 1883 he married Harriet Hanes, 
daughter of Charles and Mary Hanes.  After a year, in 1884, Mr. Aldrich 
bought forty acres in Otsego Township, and that was his home for fifteen 
years. During that time he added thirty-five acres to his farm.  In 1900 
he returned to the old homestead in section 30 of Richland Township.  This 
farm is located in the center of the old Jackman settlement, which was the 
first permanent settlement in Richland Township.  Mr. Aldrich owns 174 ½ 
acres in sections 30 and 31, his home being in the former section.  He 
built a commodious house, in which he and his family reside, and rebuilt 
the barn.
   Not all his time has been given to farming. As a young man he taught 
seven terms of school, has served one term as township assessor, served 
four years as trustee of Richmond Township, and at the present time is a 
justice of the peace.  He and four of his sons are affiliated with the 
Knights of Pythias.

The children of Mr. and Mrs. Aldrich are: Harry, a physician at Fairmount,
Indiana. who married Cora Dally; Fred H., who married Mary Shaefer and has
three children, named John Wayne, Robert and Harry; Mary, wife of Irvin
Kiess and mother of twin daughters, Irene and Ilene; Simeon F., who married
Margaret Rose and has a son, Wayne Erwin; Dean D., who served in Battery B
of the One Hundred and Thirty-seventh Field Artillery during the World War;
Olive L., a teacher in the Hamilton High School; Wilmet, a teacher in the
home school in Richland Township; and Howard, a student in the Hamilton High
School. 

Submitted by:
Arlene Goodwin
Auburn, Indiana
Agoodwin@ctlnet.com