Robert P. Aitken


Robert P. Aitken 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.

Early life

He was born in what is now Perth, New York to William Aitken and Helen Aitken 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. In 1842, he moved to Flint Township, Michigan.

Career

Political

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.

Other

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

Personal life

On March 12, 1843 he married Sarah J. Johnstone. They had ten children. One of his sons was David D. Aitken, also a politician.

Death

He died in 1905 of unknown causes. He is buried in historic 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, Michigan was added to The National Register of Historic Places as an example of high-quality 19th century architecture on November 26, 1982. It was later owned by his son David D. Aitken and remains a private residence.