Alexander Chalmers Aitken

Brother

(died February 1923, aged 54)

Temple Lodge, No. 33

Here is a brief biographical sketch of Brother Alexander Chalmers Aitken taken from local newspaper reports of his death and funeral:

“Aitken – It was a great shock to residents to learn of the sudden demise of Reeve Aitken on Monday night. It was his custom to from his home most evenings to spend a little while at the house of his neighbour, Mrs. Easton.

He was telephoning to Constable Beard at 6:30 p.m. At 7 p.m., having just come up from his home, he entered the kitchen, and was chatting in his usual cheery way with Miss Easton and her sister, when he stood upright and then gradually sank in death. Dr. H.P. Swan, coroner, found death due to natural causes.
Mr. Aitken had planned to help his neighbours with a cow but he was prevented from carrying out what to him was but a little thing but which was typical of his unselfishness and true neighbourly spirit.

Alexander Chalmers Aitken was born in Scotland and would have been fifty-five had he lived another month. He came out to Vancouver Island when twenty and began work near Victoria where he was employed on the Rogers farm. Later he went to work for the Musgraves on Salt Spring Island and, when they moved to Somenos lake, he accompanied them. This was thirty-one years ago.

Later, when the Musgraves left, Mr. Aitken purchased half their property. He sold several pieces and retained his present farm for himself. He was known as a good, all-round farmer, but it is through his connection with sheep that his name will always be remembered.

In him, the Vancouver Island Flockmasters’ Association loses one who has held the office of secretary for many years. He was more than a mere secretary or one who cared for the society’s rams.

The sheepmen of the island owe him a great deal of gratitude for the enlightened and unselfish policy he pursued with regard to their affairs. He was a tremendous advocate of co-operation and when the time came to merge the V.I.F.A. wool sales with the national organization his ability was recognized by the high office he attained with the B.C. Wool Growers’ association – that of vice president.

In municipal life, Mr. Aitken has taken perhaps as large a share as any in North Cowichan. Though not consecutive this was the sixth year he was serving as reeve. He had also acted as a councillor for six terms. Three times as reeve and four times as councillor he was returned by acclamation.

Mr. Aitken was one of the charter members of Duncan Lodge, No. 17 I.O.O.F., and was a P.G. in the order. He was also a member of Temple Lodge, No. 33, A.F. & A.M., and of Maple Lodge, No. 15, K. of P.

Mr. Aitken leaves a widow and one son, Edward. His father and mother, Mr. And Mrs. Alexander Aitken, followed him out here and are still resident at Maple Bay. He has three brothers and a sister in the district. To all his relatives the deep sympathy of the district goes out in this sudden bereavement.

The funeral takes place at the Methodist burying ground, Maple Bay, leaving the house at 1:30 p.m.”

Source: Cowichan Leader, 15 February 1923

“Aitken – The funeral of the late Mr. A.C. Aitken took place on Thursday afternoon, under as difficult weather and road conditions as could well be conceived. The coffin was conveyed on a sleigh from the home on Maple Bay to the Maple Bay Methodist cemetery. This burial ground is on the site of the old log church which stood there some forty years ago. Even under good weather conditions it is not easily accessible as one has to pass through some bush.

On Thursday a great deal of difficulty was encountered by those who came to pay their last respects to Mr. Aitken. Yet there were between twenty and thirty people present. They had come in sleighs, cutters and on horseback.

Duncan Lodge, No. 17, I.O.O.F., was in charge of the funeral. That part of the order’s service at the graveside was taken by Noble Grand William Evans and Chaplain L.C. Brockway. The Rev. J.R. Butler conducted the church service.

The pallbearers were Messrs. D.R. Hattie, O.C. Brown, J.C. McLay, R.S. Cowie, J. Murchie and John Blyth, all members of the I.O.O.F. The funeral arrangements were in the hands of Mr. R.H. Whidden.”

Source: Cowichan Leader, 23 February 1923

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Brother Alexander Chalmers Aitken joined Temple Lodge, No. 33 as an Entered Apprentice in 1910 and was passed and Raised to a Master Mason in 1911. He remained a member of Temple Lodge, No. 33 until his death in 1923.

Brother Aitken was a farmer who also served several terms as councillor and Reeve of North Cowichan. He owned land at Maple Bay.