The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1910-01-27
JUDGE JAMES ALDRICH DEAD.
End Came Last Sunday at His Daugh-
ter's Home in Aiken.

tlUIlCu pdSSSu away dI IL S1oSh
to-day. The Judge began to weaken
perceptibly last night, and his death
was not unexpected by his relatives
and friends. At the time of his
death all of his sisters and his daugh-
ter, Mrs. Hall, were at his bedside.
Arrangements have been made for
the funeral exercises to be conducted
at St. Thaddeus's Episcopal Church,
of which he was member, on Tues
day afternoon at 1.30 o'clock. About
a week ago Judge Aldrich suffered a
physical collapse, and he stated from
the first that he would not survive.
Interment will take place in the fami-
ly burying lot at St. Thaddeus's
Church beside the grave of his wife,
who died little more than year
ago. Judge Aldrich was member
of Aiken Lodge, No. 156, A. F. NJ,
and a Past Master.
Judge Aldrich's Career.
Judge James Aldrich was born in
Barnwell almost sixty years ago: He
was the son of Mr.. and Mrs. James
T. Aldrich, and the early part Of his
life was spent in Barnwell. His ear
ly education was secured in the
schools of Barnwell.
Soon after the War Between the
States young Aldrich entered Wash
ington University (now Washington
and Lee) at Lexington, Va, from
which institution he graduated. He
was a student in the University at
the time Gen. Robert E. Lee was
president.
After his graduation from Wash
ington University he began the study
of law in the Offices of his father in
Barnwell. He was soon after admit
ted to the Bar and came to Aiken to
take up the practice of his profess
sion just after this city Had been
made county seat. In 1874 he was
happily married to Miss Fannie Leb-
by, of Charleston, whose death pre-
ceded his by little more than a
year, having taken place on Christ
mas Eve, 1908. Three children were
born of this union, only one of whom
survives, Mrs. Huger T. Hall, with
whom he resided after the death of
his wife.
Judge Aldrich played a prominent
part in the politics of the State sew
eral years ago. For number OF
years he was identified with many
of the political moves of the State.
His career began in the troublous
period Of '76, when he was one of the
most conspicuous figures. He, with
the Hon. D. S. Henderson, the
Hon. Leroy F. Youmans and Ma
jor T. G. Barker defended number
of Aiken County citizens in the Fed
eral Court on the charge of partici-
pating in the Ellenton riot in the
campaign of '76 A mistrial was the
result at the time, and the case was
never brought to another trial.
Elevated to the Bench.
In 1878 Judge Aldrich was elected
to the House of Representatives from
Aiken county, and was reelected in
1880. In 1882 he was again hon
ored with a seat in the House, and
was elected to succeed himself con-
secutively until his elevation, in
1892, to the bench on the I'd circuit,
to succeed his uncle, the late Hon.
Alfred P Aldrich. Judge Aldrich
was a member of the Judiciary COM
mittee continuously during his SER
vices in the General Assembly.
When Judge Aldrich was elected
to his position on the Bench he was
opposed by Gen. James w. Moore, of
Hampton, and the late Hon. J. J.
Maher, of Barnwell. He served on
the Bench until 1908, when ill health
compelled him to resign. His health
had been failing for some years, and
it was only his realization of his
duty that caused him to resign, for
he dearly loved the duties of the
Judgesbip. AS Judge he was ever
fair and impartial, and, as a rule, his
decisions stood we'll the tests of the
upper Courts, few reversals follow
ing his decisions.
When he gave up his duties as
Judge he was succeeded by his cous-
in, the Hon. Robert Aldrich, of Barn.
we'll, who was the third Aldrich to
ascend to the position of Judge of
the second circuit.
Judge Aldrich is survived by one
daughter, Mrs. Huger T. Hall, OF
Aiken; and four sisters, Mrs. H. Fl.
Wyman, Sr., Of Aiken, Mrs. W. A.
Holman, of Charleston; Mrs. W. A.
orl, OF,