Biographical Sketches of Leading Citizens
Lawrence County Pennsylvania 1897
[p. 240] a respected and honored resident of Ellwood City, whose business associations identify him with the leading real estate interests of that thriving community, is a son of Alexander Aiken, who was born near Baltimore, Md. When eighteen years of age, Alexander Aiken came to Slippery Rock township, it was about the year 1795, and bought 200 acres, that he cleared and made into a good, productive farm; it is at present owned by Mr. McQueston. His frame barn was the first of its kind in the county, and its erection was followed soon afterward by that of a house. He was a man of many good parts, and withal was a progressive farmer. His life spanned sixty-eight years, and that of his wife exceeded that number by four. Mrs. Aiken was a daughter of James Henry, and she bore eleven children, as follows: Jane (Mrs. McMillen); Martha (Mrs. White); Sarah (Mrs. Allen); William F.; Alexander H.; Thomas; Albert; James; Mary (Mrs. Gardner); Robert C.; and an infant, who died.
Robert C. Aiken was only thirteen years of age when his father died; he therefore stayed at home and fully carried out his filial duties to the widowed mother. He lived on the homestead until 1861, when he sold it, and selected 101 acres of land near Sewickley, Beaver County, where he remained until 1896. For three years Mr. Aiken dealt in merchandise in Beaver County, and built there a new house and barn, but finally removed to Ellwood City in 1896. Here he is interested in real estate, some of it being very valuable property in the oil country, and also devotes a portion of his time to writing insurance. Mr. Aiken cast his first ballot for John C. Fremont for President, and has held minor offices in Beaver County. In 1896 he was elected burgess of Ellwood City. The family adheres strictly to the principles and doctrines of the United Presbyterian Church. Mrs. Robert C. Aiken, before her marriage with our subject, was Tirzah Aiken, daughter of James Aiken of Montville, Pa. Her death in 1893 at the age of forty-eight left seven children to mourn her departure from their midst. Their names in order are: James Elmer; Alexander H.; Mary; John C.; Robert C., Jr.; Maggie M.; and Effie A.
James Elmer Aiken was born in Wayne township, Lawrence Co., Pa., Sept. 4, 1862, and supplemented a district school education by pursuing advanced courses of study in Grove City College, after which he studied law in the office of James A. Gardner. He successfully passed the State Examination and in 1888 was admitted to the Lawrence County Bar. He practiced for a short time in New Castle, was then an assistant of George B. Nye in Hazel Dell for about a year, and in the summer of 1895 began his present connection with the First National Bank of Ellwood City as a clerk. He is now the cashier in this solid financial institution. In social circles, he is a member of the F. & A. M. Lodge, No. 599, of Ellwood City.
Biographical Sketches of Leading Citizens Lawrence County Pennsylvania
Biographical Publishing Company, Buffalo, N.Y., 1897
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Updated: 14 May 2001