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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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HON. LEVI ALDRICH, M. D., an able general medical practitioner and skillful surgeon, whose genial presence was a welcome and familiar one in the homes of Edwardsburgh, Cass County, Mich., for thirty-two years, passed away December 16, 1892, mourned by the whole community of his locality as a public and irreparable loss. Dr. Aldrich was a native of Evans, Erie County, N. Y. He was born January 27, 1820, and was the son of James and Hannah (Comstock) Aldrich. The paternal grandfather, Nathan Aldrich, was of English origin and a Quaker in faith. He lived on a farm and engaged in the peaceful pursuit of agriculture until his death, in Rhode Island. His wife, Esther (Appleby) Aldrich, was the mother of five sons and one daughter: Simon, Nathan, James, Sayles, Thomas and Esther. James Aldrich, the father of our subject, was born and reared in Rhode Island. He was a pioneer of Genesee County, N. Y., and was both a mechanic and farmer. He made his home later in Erie County, locating in Evans, and March 7, 1834, came to Cass County. He survived to an advanced age and passed away in Prescott, Wis., in 1859. In political affiliations he was a Whig, and occupied with ability many of the township offices. His wife died in August, 1881, having lived to witness the remarkable changes of ninety-one years.

The family of the father and mother were Sarah, Phoebe, Henry, Nathan, Serepta, Levi, Addison, Milton and Newton, all of whom are married except Addison. Levi, our subject, was trained on his father’s farm to habits of thrift and self-reliance. He received a common-school education in the home district, and enjoyed a course of instruction in the Salem (N. Y.) Academy. Having decided to adopt a profession, he began the study of medicine in the office of Dr. Sutphen, of Cass County, Mich., the latter State being the home of his parents since 1834. He concluded reading medicine with Dr. George Sweetland, of Evans. He attended the first course of lectures given by the Buffalo Medical College and also had the benefit of lectures at Albany, N. Y., and graduated from the Buffalo Medical College at the end of a three-years course, receiving his degree in 1846. Locating soon after in Evans, Erie County, N. Y., he practiced there successfully until the spring of 1860. At this latter date he removed to the West and settled in Edwardsburgh, where he engaged in the duties of his profession up to the time of his death, in 1892.

A man of sterling integrity of character and public spirit, Dr. Aldrich commanded the confidence of the community among whom his useful years were passed, and received from his neighbors and constituents various positions of trust. He served his county in the State Legislature and was also State Senator, making an enviable record of official work. In 1869, our subject was a delegate to the Constitutional Convention of Michigan. Like his father before him, he was a Whig in early life, and later espoused the principles and platform of the Republican party. Loyal to the Union, he was very active during the war, and throughout his career gave his earnest efforts in behalf of a progressive National existence. He was a leading member of the Ancient Free & Accepted Masons and was fraternally associated with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He was also prominently connected with both the State and County Medical Society, and kept abreast of the progress of the times. A liberal man, he generously aided in the support of the church and lent a helping hand to benevolent enterprises.

November 28, 1850, Dr. Levi Aldrich and Miss Evaline A. Sweetland were united in marriage, receiving the hearty best wishes of a host of old-time friends. Mrs. Aldrich was a daughter of James and Fannie (Wakelee) Sweetland, of Dryden, Tompkins County, N. Y., in which part of the Empire State the estimable widow of our subject was born September 18, 1822. The husband and wife spent two-score and two years together and, walking side by side through the storms and sunshine of life, courageously overcame difficulties and won their upward way to an abiding success and high place in the memory of all with whom they came in contact. Mrs. Aldrich continues to reside among the scenes endeared to her by many years of pleasant association, and in her bereavement receives the sympathy of a wide circle of acquaintances.

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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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