Robert P. Aitken
Encyclopedia
Robert P. Aitken 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.
to William Aitken and Helen Aitken (née Chalmers). He was the fifth of six children. As a teenager he worked in his uncle William Hinton's office.
In 1842, he moved to Flint Township, Michigan
and became a farmer.
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.
, also a politician.
was added to The National Register of Historic Places
as an example of 19th century architecture on November 26, 1982. It remains a private residence.
Republican Party (United States)
The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
politician in the U.S. state
U.S. state
A U.S. state is any one of the 50 federated states of the United States of America that share sovereignty with the federal government. Because of this shared sovereignty, an American is a citizen both of the federal entity and of his or her state of domicile. Four states use the official title of...
of Michigan
Michigan
Michigan is a U.S. state located in the Great Lakes Region of the United States of America. The name Michigan is the French form of the Ojibwa word mishigamaa, meaning "large water" or "large lake"....
from 1865–1868, as well as a Union Army
Union Army
The Union Army was the land force that fought for the Union during the American Civil War. It was also known as the Federal Army, the U.S. Army, the Northern Army and the National Army...
soldier in the American Civil War
American Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
, a township supervisor, a fire insurance company secretary, and a farmer.
Early life
He was born in what is now Perth, New YorkPerth, New York
Perth is a town in Fulton County, New York, United States. The population was 3,638 at the 2000 census. The town is named after Perth, Scotland.The Town of Perth is in the eastern part of the county, north of Amsterdam, New York.- History :...
to William Aitken and Helen Aitken (née Chalmers). He was the fifth of six children. As a teenager he worked in his uncle William Hinton's office.
In 1842, he moved to Flint Township, Michigan
Flint Township, Michigan
-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 33,691 people, 13,972 households, and 9,025 families residing in the township. The population density was 1,425.5 per square mile . There were 14,864 housing units at an average density of 628.9 per square mile...
and became a farmer.
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.He held the office of Supervisor of Flint Township for twenty nine years. He also acted as secretary of the Genesee County
Genesee County, Michigan
-Interstates:* I-69* I-75* I-475-Michigan State Trunklines:* M-13* M-15* M-21* M-54* M-57-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 436,141 people, 169,825 households, and 115,990 families residing in the county. The population density was 682 people per square mile . There were 183,630...
Fire Insurance Company.
Family
On March 12, 1843 he married Sarah J. Johnstone. They had ten children. One of his sons was David D. AitkenDavid D. Aitken
David Demerest Aitken was a U.S. Representative from the state of Michigan.-Early life:Aitken was born on a farm in Flint Township, Michigan in Genesee County. His father, Robert P. Aitken, served in the Michigan House of Representatives 1865-1868. Aitken attended the district schools and the...
, also a politician.
Death
He died in 1873 of unknown causes. He is buried in Glenwood Cemetery in Flint, next to his wife and children.Legacy
Aitken's 1843 Greek Revival/Italianate style farmhouse at 1110 N. Linden Rd. in Flint Township, MichiganFlint Township, Michigan
-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 33,691 people, 13,972 households, and 9,025 families residing in the township. The population density was 1,425.5 per square mile . There were 14,864 housing units at an average density of 628.9 per square mile...
was added to The National Register of Historic Places
National Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation...
as an example of 19th century architecture on November 26, 1982. It remains a private residence.