Story by Lucy Aldrich Moorhead Rowland, 1997
Abraham Lincoln Aldrich was named in an unusual way. His mother, Lucy Mary, married Harris Aldrich. He had a job as a repair foreman and was away from home a lot. When the Civil War broke out he joined up and his wife was pregnant. She wanted him to name the baby. Abraham Lincoln was running a second time and it was agreed that if he won reelection, his name would be used for the baby. Harris Aldrich never returned from the war. Years later,Lucy Mary remarried Mr. Shove. Charlie and Ira were older brothers. Steve was also a brother but it is unclear if he is a half-brother or not. Myron Aldrich is a half brother. Abe also had three sisters, Mary, Sarah Ann, and Lucy Mary.
Additional information found by Donna Swagerty Shreve. Harris Aldrich, Abe’s father, never went into the Civil War. His oldest son Myron from his first wife enlisted and saw much action. Harris stayed in Iowa during the war and lived until 1880. He is buried in the Humboldt cemetery and his wife Lucy Mary Reynolds Aldrich Stove is next to him and next to Lucy is her second husband William Stove who Lucy married one year after Harris died.
Swagerty-Aldrich Family Web Site 