Edward Aldrich, the grandfather of the subject of this biography, resided on the homestead farm in Thompson. His son Easick, a native of Douglas, spent the chief portion of his life in Thompson. He married Miriam Howland, of Burrillville, R. I., whose children were: Elizabeth, Edward, John, Viletta and Eddy. Edward Aldrich, the eldest of these sons, was born on the 25th of July, 1808, in Thompson, where he became a pupil of the neighboring school and afterward pursued his studies for one or more terms at Dudley, Mass. His education was, however, more the result of judicious reading and of habits of reflection, than of training under masters, and he may therefore be spoken of as self-taught. His father having purchased a farm in Thompson, Mr. Aldrich devoted his life to agriculture until 1870. when failing health compelled a cessation from active labor. He then retired to the residence in Woodstock which is the present home of Mrs. Aldrich. He was for many years engaged in the purchase and sale of stock, which transactions were conducted with much success.
An early whig and later a republican, he served many terms as selectman, was for a long period justice of the peace, and frequently represented his town in the legislature. During the late war he was a loyal and zealous supporter of the government. Mr. Aldrich was a man of excellent judgment and undoubted integrity. His services were therefore often sought as appraiser and arbitrator, and in the settlement of estates. He was one of the directors of the Thompson Bank. He was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church of Grosvenor Dale, and one of its building committee during the erection of the present edifice.
Mr. Aldrich was married February 22d, 1830, to Ardelia, daughter of Israel Comstock, of Union, Tolland county, Conn. Their only child, a son, Edward Harrison, married Harriet Gager, of Woodstock. Both died at an early age, leaving five children as follows: Edward Gurdon, Imogene Osborn, Isadore Estelle, wife of Randolph Chandler; Inez Harriet and Irene Fanny. With the exception of the last named daughter, all these children were taken by Mrs. Aldrich, on the death of their parents, reared and educated as her own. The death of Mr. Aldrich occurred at his home in Woodstock on the 12th of August, 1874.
