Windham County

ALDRICH, Henry Otis

Encyclopedia of Vermont Biography: A Series of Authentic Biographical 
Sketches of the Representative Men of Vermont and Sons of Vermont in Other 
States. Dodge. Burlington: Ullery, 1912, Part III (no page number; includes 
portrait)

Henry O. ALDRICH, of Boston, Suffolk County, Massachusetts, was born 03 May 
1832 in Halifax Township, Windham County, Vermont, son of Lyman and Dorothy 
(BAKER) ALDRICH [who were married in November 1822?]. When Henry was five 
years old [in 1837 or 1838?] his parents moved to Guilford, Windham County, 
Vermont, where they had formerly lived, his grandfather, Otis ALDRICH, being 
one of the early settlers of that town. [The same Otis ALDRICH who was 
married on 11 January 1796 in Guilford, Windham County, Vermont, to Susannah 
GOULD?] About a year later [1838 or 1839?] his father [Lyman ALDRICH] died, 
leaving his mother with a family of young children, the farm and other 
property to look after. But with that independent spirit so characteristic 
of him, Henry resolved that he would take care of himself, and to that extent 
relieve his mother's burdens.

He was a diligent student in the local schools in which he gained his 
education, and when about twenty years of age left the high school where he 
was then studying and went to Boston and entered the employ of C. D. Cobb & 
Brother. There he remained for about five years, when he returned to Vermont 
to engage in business for himself. Eight or nine years after, in 1868, he 
sold out, and returning to Boston entered into an equal partnership with his 
former employers. He has remained with the house since, and is now its head, 
both of the original members of the firm being deceased. Their name, 
however, is retained, the firm name being Cobb, Aldrich & Company. Mr. 
ALDRICH has been a most important factor in bringing its business to its 
present proportions, the largest grocery house in the world. He is a man of 
tremendous energy and activity, possessing great power as an executive. 
System has been carried by him to as near perfection as seems attainable, and 
as the buyer for the house he exhibits shrewdness, judgment and 
farsightedness, especially in forecasting fluctuations in the markets.

In 1853 Henry O. ALDRICH was married to [Miss?] Bessie A. PHELPS, of Halifax, 
now deceased, and there were born to them four sons, two of whom are now 
living, one being associated with his father in business, the other occupying 
a responsible position with the Conveyancer's Title Insurance Company, of 
Boston. Mr. ALDRICH is a valued member of the Algonquin Club, the Bunting 
[Hunting?] Club, the Boston Chamber of Commerce, and the Vermont Association 
of Boston. He is also connected with the Masonic order, the Knights of 
Honor, and other societies.

[The 1880 Census of Boston, Suffolk County, Massachusetts, has Henry O. 
ALDRICH, aged forty-eight, grocer, born in Vermont, about 1832, to parents 
also born in Vermont; his wife Bessie (deceased when the biography was 
published in 1912), aged forty-seven, born in Vermont, about 1833, to parents 
born in Vermont; and his children: (1) Henry E., twenty-one, single, 
grocery clerk, born about 1859; (2) Addison L., nineteen, single, bank 
clerk, born about 1861; and (3) Albert C., eight, born about 1872; and his 
sister-in-law, Cora G. PHELPS, forty-one, single, grocery cashier, born in 
Vermont, about 1839 to parents also born in Vermont. The 1880 census 
supports the information given in this biography. One of the three sons in 
the 1880 census was deceased when the biography was published in 1912. 
Bracketed additions included by submitter, who is not researching these 
surnames, to support the information given in the biography and to raise 
questions.]

Submitted by Cathy Kubly