From the 1885 History of Steuben County, Indiana Page 772

Eugene S. Aldrich is a son of Colonel Simeon C. Aldrich, one of the early 
settlers of Steuben County.  Simeon C. Aldrich was born in Rockingham, Vt., 
Oct. 14, 1816, and came to Steuben County in 1844.  He was a tailor by trade
and opened a shop in Angola.  Soon after the discovery of gold in California
he crossed the plains and was absent two years.  Returning to Angola he 
engaged in the mercantile business and served one term as Sheriff of Steuben
County.  He made a second trip to California, returning to Indiana about 
the time of the breaking out of the Rebellion.  In 1861 he, with Captain 
Parks, of Auburn, De Kalb County, were chiefly instrumental in raising 
Company K, Forty-fourth Indiana Infantry.  He was elected First Lieutenant,
and soon after promoted to Captain.  In November, 1862, he was promoted to 
Lieutenant-Colonel and commanded the regiment at the battle of Chickamauga, 
where he displayed great courage and efficiency.  After this battle he was 
made Provost-Marshal of Chattanooga, filling the position till the regiment 
re-enlisted, when he accompanied the veterans home.  He returned with them 
to Chattanooga, and continued in command till August, 1863, when he was 
granted a leave of absence on account of ill health.  A few days after 
reaching home he was suddenly taken worse and died Aug. 14, 1863.  He was 
commissioned Colonel July 27, but owing to the reduce number in the regiment
was not mustered in as such.  Colonel Aldrich was twice married.  First, 
Dec. 23, 1838, to Polly A. Jackson, who was born in Livingston County, N. Y.,
Sept. 16, 1816.  She died Jan. 29, 1852, leaving three children-Eugene S., 
Helen J. and Addison Umphrey.  A daughter, Emma L., born June 13, 1850, died
in infancy.  Helen J. married Charles Tyler, and died Jan. 10, 1879.  
Addison died Nov. 12, 1863.  June 23, 1852, he married Melissa Knapp, now a 
resident of Hillsdale, Mich.  Their children are-Nellie, of Toledo; Lulu, 
wife of William Feigel, of Hillsdale, Mich., and Charles C., in Mexico.  
Eugene S. Aldrich was born in Warsaw, Wyoming Co., N. Y., in 1842.  He 
enlisted in 1861, in Company K, Forty-fourth Indiana Infantry, and served 
three years.  He enlisted as a private, but on the organization of the 
company was made Third Duty-Sergeant.  Nov. 27, 1862, he was promoted to 
Second Lieutenant, and April 17, 1863, to First Lieutenant.  He participated
in the battles of Shiloh, Corinth, Stone River, Chickamauga, Mission Ridge 
and many others of less importance.  With the exception of three years spent
in Ohio he has live in Pleasant Lake since the close of the war.  Mr. 
Aldrich has been twice married.  His first wife, Lucy, daughter of Lansing 
Knapp, died April 14, 1869.  Their only child-Simeon A., died Oct. 25, 1871.
His present wife was Addie C. Carver, a native of Sandusky County, Ohio, 
born in 1841, a daughter of Amos Carver.  They have one daughter-Josie, born
June 17, 1872.  Mr. Aldrich owns a valuable farm of 100 acres on the south 
side of Pleasant Lake.


Submitted By: Charles Baker
E-mail: cebaker@erols.com