The Leonard Aldrich Family


I have been researching the Leonard Aldrich family of Dakota and Murray Counties in Minnesota. Leonard Aldrich was born in Rutland County, Vermont February 11, 1819. He travelled west first stopping in Geauga County, Ohio where he studied law and married his wife of 61 years Hannah Bailey Harris. Three children were born to them here Joseph July 2 1844, Clarence in 1847 and Clara Elizabeth January 4, 1851 before they headed west again. They stopped for a short time, 1852-1854, in Red Rock, Washington County, Minnesota before moving on to Castle Rock, Dakota County. Here they welcomed another child Willard born September 15, 1856. Unfortunately Willard died while still a young child May 1, 1862. Leonard played a very important role in his new home. The first meeting for the organization of the township was held at his home and he was one of the first supervisors elected in 1857. The county meeting were held in his home as well as the first religious services and the first school was opened in a back room of his house until a new school house could be built. When President Lincoln called for Civil War volunteers a picnic was held at the home of Leonard Aldrich where a company of volunteers was raised with Leonard being elected their captain. After mustering in August, 1862 they became part of company F of the 8th Minnesota Volunteer Infantry. Both his cousin Alonzo and his son Clarence served under him as well as his son-in-law Edwin Jerome Chapel. His oldest son Joseph served in the war as well with company K of the 4th Minnesota Volunteer Infantry. After the war Leonard once again moved his family to Lake Shetak, Murray County, Minnesota where Leonard and his sons Joseph and Clarence had adjoining farms in a picturesque elbow of the lake. Leonard and Hannah had one more child born to them here Minnie Mabel born in March 1868. He resided in Murray County until 1889 when he returned to Dakota County, living next door to his cousin and friend Alonzo in Farmington. He is buried in the Castle Rock Valley Cemetery.	The Leonard Aldrich Family Updated May 6, 2002
	Kally Aldrich Streit [email protected]


Family Photos
Company F, 8th Minnesota Volunteer Infantry (75 KB) A reunion piture circa. unknown Mrs. Joseph Aldrich (192 KB) Harriet Dilley wife of Joseph Aldrich Captain Leonard Aldrich (14 KB) In his civil war uniform circa 1862 Leonard's grandson Willard Aldrich and family (77 KB) Back row from left to right:Willard, his wife Frankie Greenman, Mrs. Leonard Aldrich, Blanche Aldrich Reedy, Leroy Reedy, Vern Aldrich, Leonard Aldrich. Front row left to right: Bill Aldrich (son of Leonard and Jenny), Pearl Domstad Aldrich and Lester Floyd Aldrich (son of Floyd and Pearl Aldrich). Taking picture is Floyd Aldrich.

Family Tree Maker Reports and Trees
Outline Descendant Tree: Descendants of Leonard Aldrich Outline Descendant Tree: Descendants of William Greenman Genealogy Report: Descendants of Leonard Aldrich