Bios: ROBERT C. AIKEN: Lawrence County, Pennsylvania
  
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  Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Lawrence Co transcribers.
  Coordinated by Ed McClelland

  Copyright 2004.  All rights reserved.
  http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm
 
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  Biographical Sketches of Leading Citizens
  Lawrence County Pennsylvania
  Biographical Publishing Company, Buffalo, N.Y., 1897
  
  An html version with search engine may be found at 
  
  http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/lawrence/1897/
  
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  ROBERT C. AIKEN,
  
  [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.