CHARLES RUFUS ALDRICH , the son of Rufus and Mary Ann Aldrich was born at Belvidere, Ill., June 18, 1848 and passed away at his home in Tampico at 9 o'clock Monday evening, June 2, aged 81 years, 11 months and two days. (if you figure the dates he died May 20, 1930). At the age of seven years he came to Tampico with his parents who were among the earliest settlers of the township. Here he grew to manhood and here he has lived his entire life. He was married to Mary Quinn, Nov. 13, 1869, at Sterling, Ill. To this union three children were born, Nellie, Arthur and Wayne. After some years on the farm he moved his family to town where he conducted a livery stable which he later sold and devoted his time to the management of his farms and other interests. Always interested in his hometown, he has held many positions of trust and always proved useful to the people he represented. At the time of his death he was president of the First National bank of Tampico,which position he has ably filled and where he will be greatly missed.

In the year of 1920, June 29, there came to him the first great grief of his life when his beloved wife, Mary was called by death. On March 4, 1922, he was married to Mrs. Louella Bernard, a most estimable woman, who has ever proven to be a helpful and efficent wife. "Uncle Charley", as he was familiarly called by all who knew him, will be greatly missed by every man, woman and child, for whom he always had a smile and a cherry greeting. Always ready to do a kindly deed and to help anyone in trouble, there are many who have at this time, a special reason to mourn the passing of this kindly, genial gentleman. Patiently he submitted to the inevitable while a faithful wife, loving children, and kindly friends with aching hearts, ministered to him and sought in every manner to contribute to his relief and comfort. Besides his widow he leaves to mourn their loss, the children, Mrs. H.A. Terry, Arthur Aldrich, and Wayne Aldrich. Five Grandchildren, Harold Glassburn, Gwendolin Aldrich, Frances Aldrich, Charles Wayne Aldrich and Mary Ellen Terry, also one great grandchild, John Wayne Glassburn of Geneseo, Ill. One sister Mrs. Emma Steadman of Walnut and one brother J. H. Aldrich of Anita, Iowa, besides many nieces and nephews. Funeral services for C.R. Aldrich, one of the pioneer residents of Tampico, were held Thursday morning at 9:30 o'clock in St. Mary's church in Tampico. Rev. Fr. T.O. McGuire officiated at requiem high mass. There was a large attendance of sorrowing relatives and friends. The active pall bearers were John Cooney, Will Cooney, James Kelly, Martin Barrett, A. C. Burden and J.H. Daley, Honorary pall-bearers were Frank Davis, Alfred Smith, R.F. Nelson, W.J.McCreedy, J.M. Olsson, and B. F. Woods. Burial was in St. Mary's Cemetery.

Contributed by Melva L. Taylor - The Daily Gazette, Sterling, Illinois June 3, 1930 - Tuesday, pg 8