David D. Aitken

David Demerest Aitken (September 5, 1853 – May 26, 1930) was an American politician who served two terms as a U.S. Representative from the state of Michigan from 1893 to 1897. He also served as mayor of Flint, Michigan.

David Demerest Aitken
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Michigan's 6th district
In office
March 4, 1893 – March 3, 1897
Preceded byByron G. Stout
Succeeded bySamuel W. Smith
Constituency6th Congressional District of Michigan
45th Mayor of the City of Flint, Michigan
In office
1904–1905
Preceded byBruce J. McDonald
Succeeded byGeorge E. McKinley[1][2]
4th City Clerk
In office
1883–1886
Preceded byAlbert C. Lyon
Succeeded byJohn H. Hicok
ConstituencyCity of Flint[1]
Personal details
Born(1853-09-05)September 5, 1853
Flint Township, Michigan,
United States
DiedMay 26, 1930(1930-05-26) (aged 76)
Flint, Michigan,
United States
Resting placeGlenwood Cemetery[3]
RelationsRobert P. Aitken, father

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 local high school in Flint. He taught in a district school of Genesee County in 1871-1872 and moved to New Jersey in 1872, where he was employed as a bookkeeper. He studied law in New York City, was admitted to the bar in 1878, and commenced practice in Flint.

Political life

He was Flint city clerk 1883-1886[1] and city attorney 1886-1890. Aitken was elected as a Republican to the U.S. House of Representatives from the 6th District of Michigan for the 53rd and 54th Congresses, serving from March 4, 1893 to March 3, 1897. He was chairman of the House Committee on Mines and Mining in the 54th Congress. He was not a candidate for renomination, running instead for Governor of Michigan in 1896. After losing that election to Hazen S. Pingree, Aitken resumed the practice of law and also engaged in banking. He served as Mayor of City of Flint in 1905 and 1906.[1] He died in Flint on May 26, 1930, and is interred in his family's plot at historic Glenwood Cemetery in Flint.[3]

His boyhood home at 1110 N. Linden Rd. in Flint Township, Michigan is listed on The National Register of Historic Places.

See also

References

 This article incorporates public domain material from the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress website http://bioguide.congress.gov.

  • United States Congress. "David D. Aitken (id: A000068)". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.
  1. "Chapter XIII: Roster of City Officials". History of Genesee County, Michigan, Her People, Industries and Institutions. Michigan Historical Commission. 1916. Retrieved 2009-02-06.
  2. "List of Flint City Mayors". Political Graveyards.com. Lawrence (Larry) Kestenbaum. Retrieved 2009-02-09.
  3. "Aitken, David Demerest Entry". Political Graveyard.com. Lawrence (Larry) Kestenbaum. Retrieved 2009-03-10.
U.S. House of Representatives
Preceded by
Byron G. Stout		 United States Representative for the 6th Congressional District of Michigan
1893 – 1897		 Succeeded by
Samuel W. Smith
Preceded by
Bruce J. McDonald		 Mayor of Flint
1904–1905		 Succeeded by
George E. McKinley
Preceded by
Albert C. Lyon		 Clerk of Flint
1883–1886		 Succeeded by
John H. Hicok
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