Bios: WILLIAM L. AIKEN 20th Century History of New Castle and Lawrence County Pennsylvania and Representative Citizens
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WILLIAM L. AIKEN,
[p. 416] general farmer, residing on a valuable tract of land
aggregating 104 acres, situated in Slippery Rock Township, owns this
property jointly with his sister, Margaret. He was born here, December
8, 1861, and is a son of Leslie and Sarah Margaret (Henry) Aiken.
The grandparents of Mr. Aiken were James and Elizabeth Aiken, who came
to America from Ireland, settling first at Baltimore, Md., and then
moving to Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania. In 1798 they came to what
was then Beaver but is now Lawrence County. At that time a Mr. Chew
owned many acres of uncleared land and this land in Beaver County he
desired to dispose of, therefore he was willing to make favorable
proposals to settlers who promised to be a credit to the locality. He
offered 200 acres of land to James Aiken if he would clear 200 more, and
the offer was accepted, and Mr. Aiken subsequently acquired 200 acres.
This land was located along Slippery Rock Creek, and on it James Aiken
lived until the time of his death, March 13, 1840, when it was sold. The
old log house still stands. After her husband's death, Elizabeth went to
live with her son, James B. Aiken, where she died March 11, 1860, aged
seventy-nine years. They had twelve children, namely: Ralph, born
December 26, 1799; Vincent William, born January 19, 1802, was noted for
his strength, performing feats that no other man in the township could
equal; Martha, born February 14, 1804; Isabella, born April 2, 1806;
Hiram J., born August 9, 1808, was a noted wrestler in the contests of
strength and skill participated in by the young men of his time; Sarah,
born December 26, 1810; Robert A., born February 26, 1813; James B.,
born January 27, 1815; Leslie C., born April 12, 1817; Walker V., born
September 12, 1819; Margaret, born July 15, 1822, and David E., born
October 21, 1824.
Leslie C. Aiken resided in Wayne Township, Lawrence County, until his
marriage in 1843 to Sarah Margaret Henry. She was born in Ohio in 1822,
and died August 6, 1907. Her parents were John and Sarah M. Henry, of
Lawrence County. Leslie C. Aiken and wife took up a claim in Illinois
and lived on it for two years, but subsequently returned to Lawrence
County, where Mr. Aiken died in 1889. They had eight children, namely:
Sarah M., John H., James W., Isabel, an unnamed infant, Margaret,
William L. and Lettie. Sarah M. Aiken, born September 27, 1844, died
aged two years, while the family was on a boat on the Ohio River and her
burial took place when they reached Kendallville, Ind. John H. was born
in Illinois March 17, 1847, and resides in Missouri. He married Laura
Gilham, and they have two children, William L. and Ethel M. The latter
has prepared herself for teaching and is a graduate of the Missouri
State Normal School. James Walker Aiken was born October 13, 1851, and
resides at Omaha, Neb. He married Florence Smith, and they have two
children, Nannett B. and Doris E. Isabel Aiken was born November 3,
1853, and died September 25, 1866. Margaret Aiken was born March 4,
1857, and she resides with her brother, William L. Lettie, the youngest
of the family, was born February 2, 1864. She is a successful teacher
and has been connected with the Chicago public schools for thirteen
years. This family has always been one of high standing and very
intelligent. Mr. Aiken and sister belong to the United Presbyterian Church.
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20th Century History of New Castle and Lawrence County Pennsylvania and
Representative Citizens Hon. Aaron L. Hazen Richmond-Arnold Publishing
Company, Chicago, Ill., 1908
Updated: 17 Oct 2001