Aldrich, William F
civil engineer, congressman, was born March 11, 1853, at Palmyra, N. Y. He was educated at the public school of his native village until 1865, when he moved with his father to New York city, in which city and vicinity he attended several schools, and was graduated from Warren's military academy at Poughkeepsie, taking a course in civil engineering; was removed to Alabama in 1874, and engaged in mining and manufacturing, and built up the town that now bears his name.
The only political office he ever held was that of postmaster of his town; elected to the fifty-fourth congress by the combined vote of the republicans and populists of the fourth district, against Gaston A. Robbins, democrat. The latter received the certificate of election from the governor on the face of the returns. Mr. Aldrich instituted a contest, and was seated by the house on Friday, March 13, 1895. In November, 1896, he was again elected to congress, but was again forced to contest for his seat.