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Below is a family biography included in Portrait and Biographical Record of Berrien and Cass Counties, Michigan published by Biographical Publishing Company in 1893.  These biographies are valuable for genealogy research in discovering missing ancestors or filling in the details of a family tree. Family biographies often include far more information than can be found in a census record or obituary.  Details will vary with each biography but will often include the date and place of birth, parent names including mothers' maiden name, name of wife including maiden name, her parents' names, name of children (including spouses if married), former places of residence, occupation details, military service, church and social organization affiliations, and more.  There are often ancestry details included that cannot be found in any other type of genealogical record.

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ANDREW ALDRICH. Possessing those qualities of industry and energy which are characteristic of the people of New York State birth, no worthy reference to the agricultural affairs of Cass County would be complete without mention of Mr. Aldrich, among others engaged in tilling the soil. He is a self-made man in every sense of that much-abused term, and is possessed of more than ordinary energy and force of character, no agriculturist of this region deserving greater success in the conduct and management of his farm than he.

Mr. Aldrich was born in Oswego County, N. Y., November 3, 1855, and is a son of Bert and Betsey A. (Lindsey) Aldrich, also natives of the Empire State. The paternal grandfather’s name was also Bert. Bert Aldrich, Jr., was a sailor on the Lakes and followed that calling the principal part of his life. He was married in Oswego County, N. Y., to Miss Betsey Lindsey, who bore him four children: Stephen; Andrew, the subject of this sketch; Minnie, wife of James Hammond; and one who died in infancy. For many years the parents were members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and during that time they were active workers in the same and liberal contributors to its support. In politics Mr. Aldrich supported the measures of the Republican party and took a deep interest in its welfare. He brought his family to Michigan in the ‘50s, and located in Sanilac County, where he resided for some time. His death occurred in 1862. His widow was married to James H. Moore and by this union became the mother of one child, a son, Charles. She is still living and makes her home in Missouri.

From this brief and incomplete review of the life record of our subject it will be seen that his life from earliest youth up to the present time has not been uselessly or idly spent. He is well and favorably known to a host of acquaintances in this community, and is a fair example of what can be accomplished by industry and perseverance. At the early age of twelve years he was obliged to begin life for himself, and he first worked out by the month on a farm. He continued this for about twelve years in Michigan and having saved up some of his wages he bought his present fine farm of one hundred and forty-five acres. This he has improved in every way and as a farmer he ranks second to none in the township. Everything about his place proclaims him one who thoroughly understands his business, and that he has made a success of his chosen calling cannot be doubted for a moment when a glance is cast over his broad acres.

When twenty-four years of age Andrew Aldrich was married to Miss Sarah Dewey, a native of Cass County, Mich., and the daughter of Aaron and Betsey (Simpson) Dewey. Mr. Dewey was an early pioneer of Cass County and Dewey Lake was named after his father, who was an early settler in this part of the county. In politics our subject is a Republican, but is not a strict party man, voting more for principle than for party. Socially, he is a member of the Masonic fraternity of Dowagiac.

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This family biography is one of numerous biographies included in the Portrait and Biographical Record of Berrien and Cass Counties, Michigan published in 1893. 

View additional Cass County, Michigan family biographies here: Cass County, Michigan Biographies

View a map of 1911 Cass County, Michigan here: Cass County Michigan Map

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