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Below is a family biography included in The History of McLean County, Illinois published by Wm. LeBaron, Jr. Co. in 1879.  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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C. S. ALDRICH, grocer, Bloomington; firm of Aldrich & Bro., wholesale and retail grocers. One of the leading stores of this class is that owned and conducted by Aldrich & Bro., located at 109 East Front street. They are careful and reliable business men, whose aim is to secure that patronage which shall result from the merits of their goods and fair dealing. They have exhibited an enterprise worthy of commendation, in always being among the first to secure seasonable articles, and always aim to keep only the best grades. C. S. Aldrich is a native of New York, and son of Lucius and Mary A. (Thorp) Aldrich; he was born Nov. 18, 1833. During his early life he obtained a good education, and for a number of years followed teaching; in 1860, he removed to Montgomery, Ala., and there engaged in teaching; and at the beginning of the late war, he returned to his home and organized a company and entered the army as 1st Lieutenant of the 85th N. Y. V. I., and from meritorious service was raised to the office of Major; he participated in many of the most severe engagements of the war; he lay prisoner several months at Macon, Savannah and Columbia, S. C., where he made a very hazardous escape, and was some thirty days in the Blue Ridge and Alleghany Mountains before reaching the Union army; he was mustered out in December, 1864, and returned to Canandaigua, N. Y., and entered the Canandaigua Academy as teacher. In 1865, he embarked in the dry goods business, continuing until 1868, when he came to Bloomington and began the grocery business, and has risen to his present standing through industry and integrity. He married Miss Uphemia Van Buskirk, of his native State, Oct. 13, 1869; they have four children, three of whom are still living.

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This family biography is one of 1257 biographies included in The History of McLean County, Illinois published by Wm. LeBaron, Jr. Co. in 1879.  View the complete description here: The History of McLean County, Illinois

View additional McLean County, Illinois family biographies here: McLean County, Illinois Biographies

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