AITCHISON, James 1828-1918

AITCHISON

Posted By: Ken Wright (email)
Date: 8/16/2009 at 22:15:56

Ida County Pioneer, October 30, 1918.

JAMES AITCHISON died Monday at 1 p.m., at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Margaret J. Neal in Arthur, after a lingering illness. Brief funeral services were held at the Neal home Tuesday afternoon, and the body was shipped on the evening train to Cascade, Iowa, where it will be laid to rest beside his wife.

James Aitchison was born November 7, 1828 and would have been ninety years old, had he lived a week from tomorrow. His birthplace was Rumbleton Law, Parish of West Gordon, Berwickshire, Scotland. He was married July 5, 1850 at Melrose, Scotland to Janet Bell. He emigrated to America in 1855 and his wife and children followed him to this country two years later, at first settling in New York. In the year 1859 they came to Cascade, Iowa, where they resided until 1887, when Mrs. Aitchison died. He then retired from farming and spent the rest of his days with his children. For the past fifteen years, he lived with his daughter, Margaret J. Neal at Arthur.

Twelve children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Aitchison, of whom five survive: Agnes McKercher of Stirum, N.D.; Isabel S. Woodham of Crookston, Minnesota; James K. Aitchison and Thos. B. Aitchison, of Clear Lake, Iowa; Mrs. Margaret J. Neal of Arthur. He also leaves 19 grandchildren and 14 great grandchildren.