Robert P. Aitken
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| Robert P. Aitken | |
|---|---|
|
Assumed office January 1, 1865 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
1819 Perth, New York |
| Died |
1873 Flint Township, Michigan |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse(s) | Sarah J. Aitken (née Johnstone) |
| Relations | David D. Aitken, son |
| Profession | Farmer, Township Supervisor, Insurance company secretary |
| Religion | Episcopalian |
Robert P. Aitken (1819–1873) was a Republican politician in the U.S. state of Michigan from 1865–1868, as well as a Union Army soldier in the American Civil War, a township supervisor, a fire insurance company secretary, and a farmer.[1]
Early life
He was born in what is now Perth, New York to William Aitken and Helen Aitken (née Chalmers) and raised as an Episcopalian and remained a devout follower for his entire life. He was the fifth of six children. As a teenager he worked in his uncle William Hinton's office.[1]
In 1842, he moved to Flint Township, Michigan.[1]
Military career
Aitken served in the American Civil War in the Eighth Michigan Infantry.[1]
Political career
In 1865 he was elected to the Michigan House of Representatives for Genesee County's 2nd District, and was re-elected in 1867.[1][2]
He held the office of Supervisor of Flint Township for twenty nine years. He also acted as secretary of the Genesee County Fire Insurance Company.[1]
Family
On March 12, 1843 he married Sarah J. Johnstone. They had ten children. One of his sons was David D. Aitken, also a politician.[1]
Death
He died in 1873 of unknown causes. He is buried in Glenwood Cemetery in Flint, next to his wife and children.[1]
Legacy
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 remains a private residence.
Sources
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 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.
External links
- Picture of Robert P. Aitken Farmhouse (built circa 1843), listed on The National Register of Historic Places
- Robert P. Aitken entry at The Political Graveyard