Source: History of Whiteside County, Illinois
By William W. Davis, M.A.
Vol I
Chicago: The Pioneeer Publishing Company 1908
Reprinted by: Higginson Book Company, Salem, MA

Extracted/Transcribed by: Denise McLoughln
Tampico Area Historical Society
www.tampicohistoricalsociety.citymax.com

Page 209

Tampico's G.O. M.

In a cozy cottage sitting in an arm chair, the writer found the dean of early settlers, Tampico's grand old man, Rufus Aldrich. He was born in Bradford county, Pa., in 1817, emigrated to Whiteside in 1855, and purchased the farm on which he spent most of his life for five dollars an acre. Of seven children, four are living. His youngest daughter, Mrs. Steadman, was the first child born in the township. Sparsely settled then. Only two houses between his place and Sterling. Mr. Aldrich is the picture of a patriarch, who, with his bright eye, genial smile, snowy hair and beard, has welcomed the advancing years gracefully.

- - - Therefore my age is as a lusty winter,
Frosty, but kindly.