|
Captain Charles S. Aldrich
A veteran of the Spanish-American war, a lawyer, a United States Commissioner and a man who commands the respect and esteem of his associates, friends and acquaintances -- this epitomizes the story of the life of Captain Aldrich. Although
he is young, his character is commendably strong, and his unvarying rule of conduct has been a recognition of the ethics of the many phases of human life. He was born at Tipton, Iowa, September 7, 1 872. His father was a farmer and stock raiser, and one of the pioneers of the slate, and a member of a family that came to the United States in an early day. Capt. Aldrich's boyhood days were spent in Tipton, where he was graduated from the high school. Subsequently he took a literary and law course at the State
University of Iowa, and was graduated in 1 896 with the degree of LL. B.
He was practicing law in Marshaltown. Iowa, at the beginning of the Spanish-American war. He assisted in recruiting the 49th Iowa
Volunteers, and was selected as captain in this regiment, serving under General
Fitzhugh Lee until after the conclusion of the war. His company was mustered out in
Savannah, Ga., May 13, 1899, and Captain Aldrich returned to Iowa, and resumed
the practice of law at Marshaltown. The stories of the new gold fields discovered in
Northern Alaska induced him to go to Nome. He arrived in the camp in the spring of
1900, and opened a law office. He practiced law until the spring of 1903, when
Judge Moore appointed him to the office of United States Commissioner of the Fair-
haven District. He took charge of the office July 20, 1903, and resigned the following
summer upon receipt of the sad news of his father's death and the further information
that he was urgently needed at home. During his incumbency in the Fairhaven District, residing at Candle, he had, by the observance of that rule of conduct
-- trying to do right -- which has impelled him in all his endeavors, made many warm friends, and
it was with sincere regret that he severed these relations.
During his residence in Nome Captain Aldrich took an active and a leading part
in the organization and maintenance during the winter seasons of a literary society. The
weekly meetings of this society were well attended, often overtaxing the seating
capacity of the assembly room, and indicating a widespread and general interest in the
work of the society. The long winters in Nome create a lot of leisure time for the residents, which may be spent in idleness, or a part of it may be profitably utilized if the
opportunity arises. The literary society gave many persons the opportunity of free
entertainment of the most wholesome character, and has been helpful to many people of
this isolated community.
Source: Nome and Seward Peninsula by
R. S. Harrison. Seattle: The Metropolitan Press, 1905.
|
