Robert P. Aitken
Robert P. Aitken | |
|---|---|
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| Member of the Michigan House of Representatives from the Genesee 2 district | |
| In office January 1, 1865 – 1868 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | February 5, 1819 Perth, New York, US |
| Died | April 3, 1905 (age 86) Flint Township, Michigan, US |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse | Sarah Aitken (née Johnstone) |
| Relations | Ten children including David D. Aitken |
| Parent(s) | William Aitken Helen Aitken (née Chalmers) |
| Profession | Farmer, Township Supervisor, Insurance company secretary |
Robert P. Aitken (February 5, 1819 – April 3, 1905) was an American politician. He was a member of the Republican Party and served in the Michigan House of Representatives from 1865 to 1868. He was also a township supervisor, a fire insurance company secretary, and a farmer.[1]
Early life[edit]
Aitken was born on February 5, 1819, in what is now Perth, New York to William Aitken and Helen Aitken (née Chalmers), both of whom were born in Scotland.[1] He was raised as an Episcopalian and remained a devout follower of this denomination for his entire life.[1] He was the fifth of six children.[1] As a teenager he worked in his uncle William Hinton's office.[1] In 1842, he moved to Flint Township, Michigan.[1]
Career[edit]
Political[edit]
In 1865, Aitken was elected to the Michigan House of Representatives for Genesee County's 2nd District, and was re-elected in 1867.[1][2] He also held the office of Supervisor of Flint Township for twenty nine years.[1]
Other[edit]
He also acted as secretary of the Genesee County Fire Insurance Company.[1]
Personal life[edit]
On March 12, 1843, he married Sarah Johnstone. They had ten children, five sons and five daughters. One of their sons was David D. Aitken, also a politician.
Death[edit]
Aitken died on April 3, 1905. He is buried in historic Glenwood Cemetery in Flint, next to his wife and children.[1]
Legacy[edit]
Aitken's 1843 Greek Revival/Italianate style farmhouse at 1110 N. Linden Rd. in Flint Township, Michigan was added to The National Register of Historic Places as an example of high-quality 19th century architecture on November 26, 1982.[3] It was later owned by his son David D. Aitken and remains a private residence.
Sources[edit]
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j Chapman Bros. (1892). 1892 Portrait & Biographical Album of Genesee, Lapeer & Tuscola Counties. pp. 630–636. Retrieved February 21, 2010.
- ^ Kestenbaum, Lawrence. "Aikens to Albree". PoliticalGraveyard.com. Retrieved February 22, 2010.
- ^ "Genesee County, Michigan places". National Register of Historic Places. Retrieved February 22, 2010.