After he graduated from the prep school at Hillsdale College in Michigan, Aldrich entered the Ohio State University as a freshman in 1884.

[3] In a commencement address, delivered at his university soon after he was elected governor of Nebraska, he offered his views on the topic of "Progressive Citizenship."

[4] Aldrich settled in Ulysses, Nebraska, where he worked as a high school principal and livestock rancher while he studied law.

[6] In 1910, with support from Populist Democrat William Jennings Bryan, and over opposition of the trusts, Aldrich was elected governor of Nebraska.

[7] During his tenure as governor, a co-operative association act was sanctioned; a board of control for state institutions was established; a sanitary health bill was authorized; and a road program was initiated.