Senator Nelson Wilmarth Aldrich

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nelson_Wilmarth_Aldrich

Nelson Wilmarth Aldrich (November 6, 1841 – April 16, 1915) was a prominent American politician and a leader of the Republican Party in the Senate, where he served from 1881 to 1911.

Because of his impact on national politics and central position on the pivotal Senate Finance Committee, he was referred to by the press and public alike as the "General Manager of the Nation", dominating all tariff and monetary policies in the first decade of the 20th century. In a career that spanned three decades, Aldrich helped to create an extensive system of tariffs that protected American factories and farms from foreign competition. He rebuilt the American financial system along Progressive lines through the institution of the federal income tax amendment and the Federal Reserve System. He claimed that this would lead to greater efficiency. Aldrich became wealthy with investments in street railroads, sugar, rubber and banking. His son Richard Steere Aldrich became a U.S. Representative, and his daughter, Abby, married John D. Rockefeller, Jr., the only son of John D. Rockefeller. Her son, Nelson Aldrich Rockefeller, served as Vice President of the United States under Gerald Ford.

Aldrich was very active in the Freemasons and was the Treasurer of the Grand Lodge of Rhode Island.

Associate of JP Morgan Father and Law of John D. Rockefeller Jr. Grandfather of Nelson Aldrich Rockefeller (Vice President)

From the 1900 United States Census, Nelson W. Aldrich lived with his wife and children at Providence City, Providence County, Rhode Island. The family at the time consisted of:

• Head Nelson W Aldrich 56
• Wife Abbey P Aldrich 51
• Daughter Lucy P Aldrich 30
• Daughter Abbey G Aldrich 26
• Son Stuart M Aldrich 24
• Son William S Aldrich 21
• Son Richard S Aldrich 16
• Son Winthrop Aldrich 15
• Daughter Elsie A Aldrich 12
• Servant Mary Therry 35
• Servant Betsey Redemen 25
• Servant Annie Caffery 22
• Servant Martilda Chambell 20