My Genealogy Hound

Below is a family biography included in Biographical Record of Oakland County, Michigan published by Biographical Publishing Company in 1903.  These biographies are valuable for genealogy research in discovering missing ancestors or filling in the details of a family tree. Family biographies often include far more information than can be found in a census record or obituary.  Details will vary with each biography but will often include the date and place of birth, parent names including mothers' maiden name, name of wife including maiden name, her parents' names, name of children (including spouses if married), former places of residence, occupation details, military service, church and social organization affiliations, and more.  There are often ancestry details included that cannot be found in any other type of genealogical record.

* * * *

William Aitcheson, M. D., a prominent physician and surgeon of Ortonville, Michigan, was born in 1846, at Paris, Ontario, Canada, and is a son of William and Jane (Aitcheson) Aitcheson, both of whom were born at Glasgow, Scotland. In 1840 our subject’s parents migrated to Canada, where the father engaged in farming and where his death occurred in 1886, at the age of 76 years. The mother died in 1884, aged 75 years. Our subject’s father was a stanch supporter of the Liberal or Reform party in Canada.

Dr. Aitcheson has one sister, Mrs. Martin, a resident of Brussels, Ontario. He was reared on his father’s farm and attended school until old enough to teach, and for seven years followed the profession, in the meantime beginning the study of medicine. He later entered the Gait Collegiate Institute, from which he was graduated in 1868, and in 1869 he was graduated from the Toronto University. He read first under the direction of Dr. E. C. Kitchen, of St. George, Ontario, and later under other practitioners, studying and earning his own way until he was prepared to enter the medical department of the University of Michigan, which he accomplished in 1871. In 1873 ne was graduated with his degree, fulfilling a desire he had cherished ever since the age of 12 years. He located at once in Ortonville, which has practically been his home ever since. He has gained the confidence and good will of the citizens and has enjoyed a lucrative practice. He has no specialties, being at home in every line, a close student, a careful practitioner and a steady handed surgeon.

Dr. Aitcheson was married to Isabella Murdie, who was born near Seaforth, Huron County, Ontario, of Lowland Scotch ancestry. The Doctor has completed a fine new residence and owns sufficient land surrounding it to enable him to keep good horses. He owns considerable real estate in Ortonville and vicinity and has dealt considerably in realty. Although preferably a Republican in his political sentiments, he is liberal and sometimes votes for men instead of party, particularly in local contests. He has never consented to hold office.

Fraternally he belongs to the Masonic lodge at Ortonville and the chapter at Oxford, and is a member of the Loyal Guards and the Maccabees at Ortonville. Both Dr. and Mrs. Aitcheson are members of the Order of the Eastern Star, of Ortonville. In religious belief they are Methodists, and he is a member of the official board of the church at Ortonville. His medical associations connect him with the Oakland County and State Medical Societies, and also the American Medical Association.

* * * *

This family biography is one of numerous biographies included in the Biographical Record of Oakland County, Michigan published in 1903. 

View additional Oakland County, Michigan family biographies here: Oakland County, Michigan Biographies

View a map of 1911 Oakland County, Michigan here: Oakland County Michigan Map

Use the links at the top right of this page to search or browse thousands of other family biographies.