Cyrus Aldrich (June 18, 1808 – October 5, 1871) was a

U.S. Representative The United States House of Representatives, often referred to as the House of Representatives, the U.S. House, or simply the House, is the lower chamber of the United States Congress, with the Senate being the upper chamber. Together they c ...

from

Minnesota Minnesota () is a state in the upper midwestern region of the United States. It is the 12th largest U.S. state in area and the 22nd most populous, with over 5.75 million residents. Minnesota is home to western prairies, now given over to ...

. Aldrich was born in

Smithfield, Rhode Island Smithfield is a town that is located in Providence County, Rhode Island, United States. It includes the historic villages of Esmond, Georgiaville, Mountaindale, Hanton City, Stillwater and Greenville. The population was 22,118 at the 2020 cens ...

, June 18, 1808. He followed the occupations of sailor, boatman, farmer, contractor on public works, and mail contractor, and moved to

Illinois Illinois ( ) is a state in the Midwestern United States. Its largest metropolitan areas include the Chicago metropolitan area, and the Metro East section, of Greater St. Louis. Other smaller metropolitan areas include, Peoria and Rockf ...

and settled in

Alton Alton may refer to: People *Alton (given name) *Alton (surname) Places Australia *Alton National Park, Queensland * Alton, Queensland, a town in the Shire of Balonne Canada * Alton, Ontario *Alton, Nova Scotia New Zealand * Alton, New Zealand, ...

in 1837. In Alton, he was member of the Illinois House of Representatives 1845 – 1847; register of deeds of

Jo Daviess County Jo Daviess County () is the northwesternmost county in the U.S. state of Illinois. According to the 2010 census, it had a population of 22,678. Its county seat is Galena. Jo Daviess County is part of the Tri-State Area and is located near D ...

1847 – 1849; Aldrich moved to Minneapolis, Minnesota, in 1855 and engaged in the lumber business, and was elected as a

Republican Republican can refer to: Political ideology * An advocate of a republic, a type of government that is not a monarchy or dictatorship, and is usually associated with the rule of law. ** Republicanism, the ideology in support of republics or agains ...

to the Thirty-sixth and Thirty-seventh congresses (March 4, 1859 – March 3, 1863) where he was chairman of the Committee on Indian Affairs (Thirty-seventh Congress). Aldrich was not a candidate for renomination in 1862; unsuccessful candidate for election in 1863 to the

United States Senate The United States Senate is the upper chamber of the United States Congress, with the House of Representatives being the lower chamber. Together they compose the national bicameral legislature of the United States. The composition and pow ...

. He became a member of the State house of representatives in 1865; elected chairman of the board of supervisors of the town of

Minneapolis Minneapolis () is the largest city in Minnesota, United States, and the county seat of Hennepin County. The city is abundant in water, with thirteen lakes, wetlands, the Mississippi River, creeks and waterfalls. Minneapolis has its origins ...

in 1865; appointed by

Abraham Lincoln Abraham Lincoln ( ; February 12, 1809 – April 15, 1865) was an American lawyer, politician, and statesman who served as the 16th president of the United States from 1861 until his assassination in 1865. Lincoln led the nation thro ...

in 1863 one of the commissioners to examine claims for indemnity of those who had suffered from the

Dakota War of 1862 The Dakota War of 1862, also known as the Sioux Uprising, the Dakota Uprising, the Sioux Outbreak of 1862, the Dakota Conflict, the U.S.-Dakota War of 1862, or Little Crow's War, was an armed conflict between the United States and several ban ...

, and was postmaster of Minneapolis, Minnesota, from September 11, 1867, until April 15, 1871, when a successor was appointed; died in Minneapolis, Minnesota, October 5, 1871. He is the namesake of the city of

Aldrich, Minnesota Aldrich is a city in Wadena County, Minnesota, United States, along the Partridge River. The population was 48 at the 2010 census. The small community holds the distinction as the first permanent settlement in Wadena County and the first to est ...

. He was married to Clara A. Heaton and the couple had 4 children together; 3 daughters and 1 son.

References

Minnesota Legislators Past and Present

External links

* {{DEFAULTSORT:Aldrich, Cyrus 1808 births 1871 deaths People from Smithfield, Rhode Island Republican Party members of the United States House of Representatives from Minnesota Minnesota postmasters Republican Party members of the Minnesota House of Representatives Members of the Illinois House of Representatives Politicians from Alton, Illinois Businesspeople from Minneapolis Politicians from Minneapolis 19th-century American legislators