1940, Thursday June 20, The Almonte Gazette page 4
Mr William Aitken
Mr William Aitken, for many years a resident of Almonte, passed away Sunday afternoon, June 16th, at the home of his daughter, Mrs D.J. Thompson, Lanark Township. His parents were William Aitken and Isabella Turnbull, pioneers of the district. He was born at Rosetta, in 1857 and received his education at Rosetta School House. During his lifetime he attended four successive churches on the one site. At an early age he entered public life, taking much interest in church, school and municipal affairs, acting first as councillor in the township and later as reeve. He also was clerk of the Grange, which was held at home of Mr George McFarlane at Rosetta, in the '80's. He was married in 1878 to Alice Knapton of Rosetta, a daughter of Silas Knapton and Mary Harrington who died in 1904. There was a family of nine, William of Regina, Sask.; Edwin, who was killed in action at Vimy Ridge in 1917; Jack of South Porcupine, Ont.; Mary, Mrs D.J. Thompson of Lanark Township, Isabel, Mrs A.M. Ranney of Oxnard, Cal; Alice, Mrs F.E. Ranney, deceased; Agnes and Estella who died in infancy and Ella of Santa Monica, Cal. In 1905 he sold his farm at Rosetta and moved to Regina, Sask. where the family resided for four years, when he married Miss Agnes Dick of Almonte, and returned to Almonte shortly after. She predeceased him in 1927. In Almonte he also took a keen interest in church and municipal affairs, being treasurer of the Bible Society Branch, also clerk of the session of Bethany Church. He also served on Almonte Council as councillor and as reeve. Shortly after the death of his wife in 1927, he took up residence at his daughter's home in Lanark Township with the exception of some winters spent in Almonte. He left 22 grandchildren and 20 great grandchildren. The funeral was held Tuesday afternoon from the home of his daughter Mrs D.J. Thompson, to Rosetta Church, where service was conducted by the Rev Stanley Smith of Middleville. Many friends and neighbours were present. The pallbearers were six grandsons, Harvey, Edwin, Russell, Malcolm, John and Billie Thompson. Interment was in the Auld Kirk Cemetery at Almonte.
Contributor: Gary J Byron (49329383)