The Aiken family is of New England antecedents, and the subject of this notice was born June 21, 1808, in the town of Deering, Hillsboro County, N. H. He is thus approaching the eighty-third year of his age, and forms one of the old landmarks of Peoria, whose name will be held in kindly remembrance long after he has been gathered to his fathers. His parents were Nathaniel and Susannah (Morrill) Aiken, the former of whom was a farmer by occupation, and died 1833; the mother died October 29, 1829. The paternal family consisted of four children, two of whom are living, our subject, and Mrs. Childs, of Evanston, Ill.

Mr. Aiken remained with his parents until a youth of sixteen years, then went to New York City to live with his uncle, Elisha Morrill. Not long afterward he entered the employ of J. & J. Harper, the original of the great firm of Harper Bros., and entered upon an apprenticeship in the book publishing business. Some years after this was completed, however, he was seized with the desire to push on further westward, and we next find him in Peoria. Soon after locating here in 1833, he formed a partnership with George C. Bestor, and they engaged in a general land office business.

Mr. Aiken had purchased land prior to coming here, when Peoria was a little straggling town comprised of a few rude structures along the river. He was prospered in his business enterprise, and after dissolving partnership with Mr. Bestor, associated himself with his cousin, Elisha Morrill, of New Hampshire, and they prosecuted a successful business for some years until his death in 1881.

Mr. Aiken has been a liberal-minded and progressive citizen, taking a prominent part in politics, and giving his support to the Republican party. He served as Assessor, and as a member of the Board of Health, and identified himself with the Congregational Church, because it was anti-slavery from the beginning. During war times he was a stanch Abolitionist, promulgating his principles at every opportunity, and was one of the most active supporters of Abraham Lincoln and the Union. He has cause for a reasonable amount of satisfaction in his declining years as he may properly feel that his labors and influence in behalf of truth and the right have by no means been in vain.

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