Herman Daggett Aldrich (July 6, 1801 – April 5, 1880) was an American businessman and philanthropist in the Gilded Age. ^[1]

Early life

Herman Daggett Aldrich was born on July 6, 1801, in Mattituck, New York. ^[2] His father, James Aldrich, was of English descent. ^[2] His nephew, Herman D. Aldrich Jr. married in 1860. ^{[3] [4]}

Career

Aldrich moved to New York City, where he worked for Stephen Lockwood, a merchant. ^[2]

In 1820, Aldrich co-founded McCurdy and Aldrich, a dry goods commission firm, with Robert Henry McCurdy. ^[5] It later became known as McCurdy, Aldrich and Spencer. ^{[5] [6]} The three partners retired c. 1860, when it became Low, Harriman & Co., ^[7] founded by Oliver Harriman and his father-in-law, James Low. ^[8]

Aldrich made charitable contributions to St. Luke's Hospital Center. ^[2]

Personal life

In 1840, Aldrich married Elizabeth Wyman (1821–1904), the daughter of Hannah D. Mayo and Samuel Wyman [ Wikidata], ^[2] who donated Wyman Park to Johns Hopkins University. ^{[9] [4]} They resided on 14th Street, until they moved to 200 Madison Avenue, both of which are located in Manhattan, New York City. ^[7] In addition to three children who died in childhood, they had three sons and two daughters: ^[10]

• Mary Elizabeth Aldrich (d. 1919), who married Thomas Underwood Dudley (1837–1904), the second Episcopal Bishop of Kentucky. ^{[2] [11]}
• James Herman Aldrich (1843–1917), who married Mary Gertrude Edson (1850–1924). ^{[12] [13]}
• William Wyman Aldrich (1849–1891)
• Helen Hudson Aldrich (1851–1926), who married Rev. Dr. James Nevett Steele (1850–1916) of the Trinity Church. He was the nephew of Rep. John Nevett Steele. ^{[14] [15]}
• Spencer Aldrich (1854–1936), who married Harriet Dall Hall (1855–1937) in 1878. ^[9]

Aldrich died on April 5, 1880, at his Madison Avenue residence. ^{[7] [16]} His funeral was held as a joint ceremony with Robert Henry McCurdy, who died on the same day, at the Calvary Church ^[16] on Wednesday morning. ^[17] The funeral was attended by Peter Cooper, William E. Dodge, Frederick Theodore Frelinghuysen, James Watson Webb, Thurlow Weed, etc. ^{[18] [19]} His sermon was given by Bishop Henry C. Potter and Reverend E. A. Washburne of the Episcopal Church. ^[20] He was buried at the Green-Wood Cemetery, next to McCurdy. ^[16]

His estate built Aldrich Court, a skyscraper located at 41-45 Broadway in Manhattan, between 1886 and 1887. ^[21] By September 1905, his extensive real estate holdings, inherited by his widow and valued at US$5 million, were auctioned off. ^[22]

Descendants

His granddaughter through his on William, Elizabeth Wyman Aldrich, was married to Jacob Berry Underhill, son of Edward B. Underhil in 1892. The Wedding was performed by Aldrich's son-in-law, Bishop Dudley and the reception was hosted by his widow at their home at 200 Madison Avenue. ^[23]

References