In 1905, after an eventful period of close identification with mining interests in Alaska, Gavin Aitchison came to Alameda, turning his attention to the contracting and building business, in which he has engaged continuously since that time. A spirit of enterprise and progress has actuated him in all he has done and success has steadily attended his well directed labors so that he stands today among the representative and substantial business men of the city. He was born in Nova Scotia, July 9, 1855, and is a representative of one of the pioneer families of that province, his maternal great-grandfather having been one of the first settlers there and his father, James Aitchison, having come from his native Dumfriesshire, Scotland, to the province in 1834. He there turned his attention to general farming and followed that occupation successfully until his death in 1912. The mother of our subject was in her maidenhood Miss Ann Bell, a daughter of Gavin and Mary (Irving) Bell, of Scotland.
Gavin Aitchison acquired his education in the public schools of his native province and at the early age of ten laid aside his books in order to learn the carpentering business, completing his apprenticeship in 1879. He then became identified with mill work, taking charge of the Balfour mills of Waugh's River, Nova Scotia, whence after six months he came to the United States, settling in Boston, Massachusetts, in 1885. There he took up the carpenter's trade but after six months went to Waterbury, Connecticut, returning in 1886 to Waugh's River. There he again became connected with saw-milling, which he followed for one year thereafter, going in 1887 to Spring Hill, Nova Scotia, and there entering the contracting business for himself, thus beginning his independent career. He left Nova Scotia for California on the 1st of January, 1888, and after his arrival in San Francisco obtained work as a carpenter for the Spring Valley Water Company. In 1889 he secured a position in the bridge department of the Southern Pacific Railroad and retained it for four years, proving capable, efficient and conscientious in the discharge of his duties. From 1889 to 1898 he engaged in the carpentering business in San Francisco and in the latter year went to St. Michaels, where he worked as a carpenter on the construction of the Northern Alaska Transportation Company's hotel. From St. Michaels he went with dog teams to Gollivan bay as a prospector and was with the party that discovered Ophir Creek, a valuable property now owned and operated by the Northern Lights Mining Company. In all Mr. Aitchison made six trips to Alaska but in 1905 returned to California with the intention of remaining permanently. He went to San Francisco and almost immediately afterward came to Alameda, where he established himself as a general contractor and builder. In this occupation he has engaged since that time and the excellent work he has accomplished is the best evidence of his ability and skill. He has erected many fine homes and other structures in this city and in the neighborhood, his buildings showing always excellent workmanship and artistic design. As a result his patronage has steadily increased and it has now reached extensive proportions, Mr. Aitchison being numbered among the leading contractors and builders in this section of the country.
Mr. Aitchison married Miss Mary Belle Matheson, a daughter of Angus and Margaret (Monroe) Matheson, of Pictou county, Nova Scotia. Mr. and Mrs. Aitchison are the parents of seven children: James Miller, aged thirty-three; Margaret Belle, thirty-one; John Walter, twenty-nine; Alexander Gordon, twenty-seven; Ethel Louise, twenty-five; and Mabel Irene and Gretta May, twins, aged eighteen.
Fraternally Mr. Aitchison is a member of Oak Grove Lodge, No. 15, F. & A.M., and he is president of the Alameda Improvement Club, a position in which he has accomplished a great deal of constructive and farsighted work. He is not a politician and the honors and emoluments of office have no attraction for him. He prefers rather to concentrate his attention upon his business affairs in which he has been very successful, and much credit is due to him for the position he has attained among the substantial and representative business men of Alameda.
Past and Present of Alameda County California, Vol. II
Published in Chicago by The S. J. Clarke Publishing Company
1914
Pages 338-340
Transcribed by Linda Jackson 6/26/2008
Alameda County Biographies ~ Archive Biography Index ~ Archive Index
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