William Aldrich Tateum, a member of the Grand Rapids bar, came to this city in 1887. His early life was passed in Massachusetts, his natal state, and in Connecticut, where he graduated from the Wesleyan university at Middletown, and was prepared for his chosen profession at Hartford, later becoming a student at the Boston university law school. Since coming to Grand Rapids, Mr. Tateum has taken an active interest in political affairs, as a republican. In 1891 and 1892 he was a member of the board of aldermen of the city. In the session of the state legislature of 1893-4, he was a member from this city in the house of representatives. Although this was his first term in that body, he received the unusual honor from his colleagues of being elected speaker, and presided during the session.