Robert P. Aitken

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Robert P. Aitken
Assumed office
January 1, 1865
Personal details
BornFebruary 5, 1819[1]
Perth, New York
DiedApril 3, 1905 (age 86)[1]
Flint Township, Michigan
Political partyRepublican
Spouse(s)Sarah Aitken (née Johnstone)
RelationsTen children including David D. Aitken
ProfessionFarmer, Township Supervisor, Insurance company secretary

Robert P. Aitken (February 5, 1819–April 3, 1905)[1] was a Republican politician in the U.S. state of Michigan from 1865–1868, a township supervisor, a fire insurance company secretary, and a farmer.[2]

Early life[]

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.[2][1] He was raised as an Episcopalian and remained a devout follower of this denomination for his entire life.[2] He was the fifth of six children.[2] As a teenager he worked in his uncle William Hinton's office.[2] In 1842, he moved to Flint Township, Michigan.[2]

Career[]

Political[]

In 1865, Aitken was elected to the Michigan House of Representatives for Genesee County's 2nd District, and was re-elected in 1867.[2][3] He also held the office of Supervisor of Flint Township for twenty nine years.[2]

Other[]

He also acted as secretary of the Genesee County Fire Insurance Company.[2]

Personal life[]

On March 12, 1843, he married Sarah Johnstone (August 2, 1823–May 4, 1886).[2][1][4] They had ten children.[1] One of their sons was David D. Aitken (September 5, 1853 – May 26, 1930), also a politician.[2][1][5]

Death[]

Aitken died on April 3, 1905 of unknown causes.[1] He is buried in historic Glenwood Cemetery in Flint, next to his wife and children.[2]

Legacy[]

Robert P. Aitken Farm House

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.[6] It was later owned by his son David D. Aitken and remains a private residence.

Sources[]

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h Robert P Aitken Find a Grave
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l Chapman Bros. (1892). 1892 Portrait & Biographical Album of Genesee, Lapeer & Tuscola Counties. pp. 630–636. Retrieved February 21, 2010.
  3. ^ Kestenbaum, Lawrence. "Aikens to Albree". PoliticalGraveyard.com. Retrieved February 22, 2010.
  4. ^ Sarah Johnstone Aitken (1823–1886) FindAGrave.com
  5. ^ David Demerest Aitken (1853–1930) FindAGrave
  6. ^ "Genesee County, Michigan places". National Register of Historic Places. Retrieved February 22, 2010.
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