Mrs. Charlotte Ruth Odell Alderman was born in Carroll County, Indiana, in 1842. Her father crossed the plains in 1851, bringing his wife and nine children. They settled in Webfoot near Dayton, where the family grew to maturity.
Charlotte attended school at Lebanon, Lafayette and Willamette University, besides her home school. She taught school in Lincoln County, and in 1866, she married Albert Lockwood Alderman. They lived north of Dayton a number of years and then moved to Dayton so the children could better attend school. To them five children were born: Edwin who died in 1908; Ennis who lives near Dayton; Lewis who is a teacher in the state university; George who died in 1893; and Eva, now Mrs. Ora Powell of Corvallis.
Mrs. Alderman was a most devoted wife and loving mother, a consistent Christian and a constituent member of the First Baptist Church of Dayton, Ore. She was strongly allied with the temperance work, being a member of the W. C. T. U. She was always sympathetic with those in need and had an abiding faith in the goodness of people. Her friends and relatives loved her in response to her strong affection on her part.
She died at the home of her son Ennis May 30, 1910, being 68 years, 1 month and 14 days old. Rev. A. J. Hunsaker of McMinnville, who was her pastor for ten years, was present and in tender words spoke of the close relation of their two families. Many floral tributes were brought and sent by friends as a token of their love.
The funeral took place Tuesday at 10 a.m., from the Baptist Church. Interment was in the city cemetery. [Internment Brookside Cemetery]
The News Reporter, McMinnville, June 3, 1910
Contributed by: Shelli Steedman