Tehama-Yolo-Sacramento County CA Archives Biographies.....Aitken, Andrew B. 1853 - ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/ca/cafiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Joy Fisher sdgenweb@yahoo.com January 31, 2007, 7:48 pm Author: Lewis Publishing Co. (1891) ANDREW B. AITKEN.—Among the many prominent and progressive business men of Tehama County, none, perhaps, are more worthy of mention than the above named gentleman. His residence in California dates back to 1858, and since that period he has been prominently identified with the mercantile business men of this and other sections of the State. Having been reared to a business life from boyhood, he has indeed been a close observer of the ups and downs that naturally follow those pursuits, and he has witnessed the rise and fall of many prominent business operations. He himself has shared the fate of others before him, not so much perhaps through his own indiscretion or oversight as by the stumbling-blocks placed in his way by lukewarm friends in whom he had confided and confidentially trusted. As is natural in business life, our subject found himself worshiping at the shrine and zealously courting Dame Fortune; and just at the time when he believed that she was fairly won—she evaded his grasp, and substituted her ungovernable daughter, Mis-Fortune, and left them to settle the question as best they might. The old adage that a business life seldom runs smooth" meets many cases. However, our predictions are that progressive men will surely rise to the surface in spite of the impediments thrown in their way. Mr. Aitken is a native of the old Keystone State, born in Luzerne County, June 13, 1853, and at an early age he came with his parents via Panama to California, locating in Tehama County. Our subject attended the public schools of Tehama and Yolo counties, and later attended the grammar schools of Sacramento, completing his education at Marysville. Here he was the recipient of a handsome prize given for best scholarship, by Mayor C. M. Gorham, now of San Francisco. Immediately following his school days, he became the clerk of Charles Heintzen, a banker, merchant and mine operator of Forest City, Sierra County, remaining in his employ until 1872, and was then employed by the firm of Cooley & Cady. After severing. his connection with this firm he became the salesman of Harvey Simpson & Co., of Tehama, remaining in their employ and handling the business of Wells, Fargo & Co.'s Express until 1878. He then came to Riceville, where, June 13, 1878, he opened a general merchandise store, operating it under the firm name of A. B. Aitken & Co., continuing until the railroad was built, November, 1883, when his store and the town was moved near the road, and the town of Corning succeeded that of Riceville. The following notice appeared in the Corning Observer, September 21, 1889:— "The firm of A. B. Aitken has closed its doors. Mr. Aitken is the successor to the firm of Simpson & Aitken, which started business twelve years ago at Riceville and entered on the road to prosperity. Two years ago Mr. Simpson retired from the firm, to the surprise of all, and from what we can learn the good feeling that before existed did not continue. Poor crops and long credit, with a very low price for wheat and 35,000 sacks on hand was perhaps the cause. The only wish is that the suspension may be only temporary, and that Mr. Aitken will be on his feet again soon, as it would be a sad blow to Corning should this gentleman be compelled to retire from business. He has been its main stay for many years, and it was through his enterprise that Corning is what it is. With Mr. Aitken's retirement from active life, many things that were about to be purchased for the advancement of Corning will stand still in their present condition, unless we are blessed with another enterprising citizen like him." Mr. Aitken was joined in marriage in Tehama Township, March 17, 1877, to Miss Ella I. Miller, a native of Iowa, and they have three children: Jennie Irene, Liston E. and Irma J. Mr. Aitken affiliates with the order of F. & A. M., Moline Lodge, No. 150, of Tehama, also the Corning Council, No. 160, O. C.F. of Corning. Politically he is a Republican and takes an active part in local politics, and is at the present time Notary Public of Corning. Additional Comments: Extracted from Memorial and Biographical History of Northern California. Illustrated, Containing a History of this Important Section of the Pacific Coast from the Earliest Period of its Occupancy to the Present Time, together with Glimpses of its Prospective Future; Full-Page Steel Portraits of its most Eminent Men, and Biographical Mention of many of its Pioneers and also of Prominent Citizens of To-day. "A people that takes no pride in the noble achievements of remote ancestors will never achieve anything worthy to be remembered with pride by remote descendents." – Macauley. CHICAGO THE LEWIS PUBLISHING COMPANY 1891. File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/ca/tehama/bios/aitken632gbs.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/cafiles/ File size: 5.3 Kb