Missouri Valley times. [volume] (Missouri Valley, Iowa) 1874-1931, 1903-01-01
A WESTERN ANrloUARY.
Charles Aldrich, Curator Iowa Depart.
ment Of History.

uSis W UllSIStys
Omaha Bee: But few men of the
west have had their life work crowded
so appropriately as Charles Aldrich of
Iowa. He is newspaper man, true
journalist OF the old school, educated
at the case and developed by years of
arduous labor in his chosen field. He
is one of the pioneer newspaper editors
Of Iowa. his career dating from 1857
Years ago he began to take deep in
lerest in the history of his state, in
those things which are SO easily for
gotten, but which go to make up the
story of the states grandeur. He gath
cred autographs and historical docu-
ments and photographs of great men.
His career had given him wide ac-
luaintance. He prepared a collection
which was of rare merit. AS the years
went ON his collection of autographs
and manuscripts became SO valuable
that he desired the state to take care
of the same for the benefit of future
generations. Out of this has grown the
Iowa historical department and the
beautiful Hall of History which is
oeing rapidly filled with the choicest
treasures of the state and over which
Nh. Aldrich presdes. 1t is a natural
outcome of his life work, his hopes and
ambitious; and MIR. Aldrich Is devoting
The closing years of an active life to
his w Us N WINCH llledHS So HluCn 10 Iue
future of Iowa and for which he will
De remembered through many gener-
atoms.
Charles Aldrich was born in Chautau-
qua county, New York, in 1928, and in
1876 he entered the office of the West
fern Literary Messenger in Buffalo to
earn the printers trade. He followed
ais vocation in various towns of New
! DIRK and Pennsylvania and established
fN,,+ tr,,-,
n. V, in 1850. In 1857 he came to Iowa
and established the Hamilton Freeman
II Webster City, then village. He at
orce took a high position in politics
ana gave his support to James w.
'rincs for senator. Subsequently Mr..
Aldlich was editor of the Dubuque
fines and later bought and edited the
Marshalltown Times-Republican. At
other times he has been connected edi-
.oiiaily with TIE Waterloo Courier,
Council Bluifs Nonpareil and the Chi
eago Inter ocean. He locked UP his of
ice in Webster City and went to war
is an adiutant in the Thirty second
iowa. Ia 1850, 1862, 1866 and 1870 Mr..
Aldrich was chief clerk OF the Iowa
house of representatives. He was one
of the commissioners appointed by
President Grant to settle the Des
Moines river land troubles. He was a
survey in 1875.
Eighteen year ago the state legis-
.atule accepted the gift of Mr.. and
Mrs Alurich of their splendid collec.
ton of autographs and manuscripts and
it Was agreed that the collection should
be kept intact and in proper cases. The
collection remained in the state library
Tor several years, but in 1892 the his
torical department of Iowa was estab
-h.afl Il H.
atol. In 1899 Il building was erected
by the state, which is but a part of tn.
building planned and which will ulti
lnately be one of the finest historical
buildings of the country.
MI. Aldrich, as curator of the his.
torical department., is devoting his lift
to historical research and collection. Ii
his painstaking, persistent, enthusiasts
tic way he has made wonderful pro
gress. His original collection is being
added to year by year and new feature
are being introduced. Here are auto
graphs of hundreds Of men known t,
fame the world over of this generation
and of the past in all walks of life and
of all kinds. The collection of manu-
scripts relating directly to Iowa affair."
is increasing. Mr.. Aldrich has ran
sacked the records ut Washington fo
manuscripts and valuable letters Their
ne Las q S.tl Oh JltlluT1l his
tory specimens, ofgcologic specimens, O
ancient pottery, of Indian curios, OF
guns and weapons OF ell kinds of cur
ious artillery from ala parts of the
world, of characteristic western We
hicles and implements and utensils il.
Illustrating early western life. The col
lection of historical portraits is very
fine and is increasing rapidly. The fils
of newspapers of early Iowa is the mos
complete eXtant and the collection OF
historical books is large. Everything
relating TO Iowa history is being gath
cred In the "Ilall of History" to form
the nucleus of great historical collec-
ton worthy of the state of Iowa.
IL is the genius and devotion OF
Charles Aldrich that the state of lowe
owes the establishment of a work which
is destined to continue increasing In
Importance through the years. He is
living to ripe old age TO enjoy that
Which he has wrought.