An Illustrated History of Baker, Grant, Malheur and Harney Counties, 1902
published by Western Historical Publishing Company

John H. Aitkin

On August 15, 1858, in Michigan, the subject of this sketch was born to William and Elizabeth (Harley) Aitkin, both natives of Scotland, and to this last fact gives us much clue to the stability and integrity that are manifest in their son. In Michigan John H. grew to manhood and received a good education from the schools, and commenced at the age of fifteen years the training that has made him so successful in his work. He first worked in a store as clerk at fifteen dollars per month and this was constantly continued until he was twenty-one years of age. At that time he went on the road as salesman and for seven years he continue din that excellent training and then started for himself in the mercantile world in Michigan. For one year he was occupied in that line and then perceiving the possibilities of the west, in 1888 he came to Baker county and located at the "Gate City," Huntington. He first took stock in the Oregon Construction Company, which operated a store at Huntington, and became manager of the store, and in that capacity he has continued since, and since 1896 he has also been president. In 1888 the old company was succeeded by the Oregon Commercial Company. His skill and ability soon became manifest and it was evident that, coupled to this, his uprightness and deferential treatment of all patrons would bring the patronage which makes success, and the facts of the years have borne this out in every respect. The Oregon Commercial Company is one of the largest mercantile establishments in the northwest and entirely exceeds any other concern in Baker county. In 1900 they sold two hundred and eleven cars of general merchandise and they were the first concern that ever shipped a train load of goods at one time to the northwest. They have ample room, having four large warehouses in addition to their salesrooms, and they do both a retail and wholesale business. In 1897 Mr. Aitkin organized the Bank of Huntington and has been its president since that time. He also organized the Huntington Lumber Company and is president of that corporation and was the first treasurer of the North West Railway Company. In addition to the houses in Huntington, the company also has a branch establishment at Durkee, and the patronage of these houses is extended far and near. The breath of grasp, firm execution and unwearied care of detail put forth by the president and manager of these concerns, have made them the unbounded success that they are today. In addition to these cares and heavy responsibilities Mr. Aitkin finds time for the fraternal associations, and is prominent in the Knights of Pythias, being grand chancellor of the state of Oregon; he is also aide on the staff of Major General Carnahan, U.R.K.of P. In the Masonic fraternity Mr. Aitkin is a Knight Templar and is also a member of the A.O.U.W. and the W. of W. He served as city mayor for two years, being the oldest living mayor of the city; for three years he was treasurer of the city, holding these positions for five consecutive years, and is now chairman of the school board. In church matters Mr. Aitkin is active and besides all of his other weighty and pressing duties he gives attention to superintending the Sunday-school of the Congregational church, the institution where are his church relations. In politics Mr. Aitkin is a Republican and is frequently called on for counsel in the political matters of the county.

Mr. Aitkin and Miss Harriett M. Pike, a native of LeClaire, Iowa, were joined in the holy bands of wedlock on September 26, 1892, and the fruit of this union has been two children, J. Harold and F. Harley. It is pleasant to add that in supplementing the unbounded success that has attended the wise operations of Mr. Aitkin, there should be mentioned that he is held in high esteem by his fellows and in the business world and is respected and admired by all, having been faithful, kind and upright in all of his dealings and varied relations.

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