W. F. Aldred
SOURCE: "History of Champaign County, Illinois with Illustrations," 1878
W. F. ALDRED - Was born in Randolph county, North Carolina, May 22d, 1851. He is of Scotch descent, the name of Aldred is of great antiquity, and some of that name have been more or less conspicuous in Scottish history. The Aldred family came to America at a very early day, and settled in North Carolina, several of them afterwards becoming prominently identified with the agricultural interests of that state.
His parents having died when he was yet in infancy, young Aldred made his home with an uncle, who, suffering from many reverses of fortune, gave every assistance toward securing for his nephew, a liberal education.
When but five years of age, young Aldred moved with his uncle to Henry county, Indiana, where he remained nine years, attending school part of the time.
In 1865, Mr. Aldred in company with his uncle, followed the western tide to Douglas county, this state; but a difference arising between them soon after, young Aldred started out to seek his fortune. He lived the following year with a German family, and mastered that language sufficiently to converse with considerable fluency. The next two years were spent upon a farm and in school.
In 1869 Mr. Aldred taught his first school in the " Sipple school-house," Douglas county. He spent the next year in school at Tuscola; clerking in J. R. Evens' store, morning and evening, for his board, often at his books while others slept.
With the exception of one or two years, Mr. Aldred has since been engaged in teaching, and is rapidly gaining a reputation as an educator. He is a close student, and we anticipate for him a career that will shed a lustre upon his profession.