David Demerest AITKEN, Congress, MI (1853-1930)

AITKEN, David Demerest, a Representative from Michigan; born on a farm in Flint Township, Genesee County, Mich., September 5, 1853; attended the district schools and the local high school in Flint; taught in a district school of Genesee County in 1871 and 1872; moved to New Jersey in 1872 and was employed as a bookkeeper; studied law in New York City; was admitted to the bar in 1878 and commenced practice in Flint, Mich.; city clerk 1883-1886; city attorney 1886-1890; elected as a Republican to the Fifty-third and Fifty-fourth Congresses (March 4, 1893-March 3, 1897); chairman, Committee on Mining (Fifty-fourth Congress); was not a candidate for renomination, being an unsuccessful candidate for Governor of Michigan in 1896; resumed the practice of law; also engaged in banking; served as mayor of Flint in 1905 and 1906; died in Flint, Mich., May 26, 1930; interment in Glenwood Cemetery.

Source: Biographical Directory of the United States Congress, 1771-Present