George B. Aitken

AITKEN, GEORGE BEAIRSTO, farmer, justice of the peace, and railway valuator; b. ca. 20 May U36 in Lower Montague, son of Johnson Aitken and Elizabeth Beairsto; m. ca. 14 February 1870 Jane D. Shaw, and they had six children, Ben Osvvjld (died at eight years on 25 July 1879), William Eldted (died at six years on 20 July 1879), George Russell, John Wallace, Henry Merrill, and Elizabeth Jaie (Bessie); Presbyterian; d. ca. 18 February 1909 in Lower Montague. Aitken, a Liberal, was elected to the Legislative Assembly in the 1893 general election for 4th Kings. He was defeated in the general election; of 1886 and 1897, and in the election for Legislative Council in 1890. During the time he represented 4th Kings, the government carried out repairs on the road leading to the ferry in Lower Montague, constructed a steel bridge in Montague, and repaired Aitken's Wharf in Lower Montague. Aitken was born and educated in Lower Montague, where he lived all his life. During the construction of the Murray River Railway, Aitken was one of the valuators. He was an active worker in his church and community. Aitken died ca. 18 February 1909 after a two-week battle with pneumonia. His brother James died 19 February 1909 while viewing the remains. Jane Aitken, the daughter of Neil Shaw of Montague, died 5 March 1921.