D.W. Aiken passed his childhood at home, and,
as in those days, the salary of the ministry was very small, the children
were early obliged to use their hands at labor to help move the wheels
of the household economy. At the age of twenty years he became a teacher,
and continued that occupation for twelve years in New England, with good
acceptance. In 1832 he came to Hardwick, and engaged in merchandising,
and for over half a century his erect form, pleasant countenance, and fine
bearing has been one of the familiar sights in the town.
He married, September 8, 1839, Lucy Ann, daughter of Captain David
and Anna Emerson (Goss) Tuttle, and grand-daughter of Rev. Amos Tuttle,
the first settled minister of Hardwick. Mrs. Aiken is an estimable and
intelligent lady. Their children attaining maturity were Inez Rowena (Mrs.
Ira R. Kent), born March 23, 1832, died June 8, 1874; Daniel W., Jr., a
merchant, now residing in Louisiana, Selina Atwood (Mrs. Hamilton S. Peck,
Burlington, Vt.), born August 16, 1848; Samuel Adams, farmer; Edward, a
merchant in Hardwick.
Mr. Aiken, as merchant and citizen, has been a prominent factor
in the town for nearly sixty years. His sound judgment, practical
wisdom and general intelligence fitted him for any position in the community.
He has enjoyed the confidence and esteem of his townsmen in an unusual
degree, and has been placed by them in all responsible positions of office
and trust within their gift, and always unsolicited by him. In 1837 he
was made lister, and performed the duties for fifteen consecutive years;
served as town clerk and treasurer from twelve to fifteen years; selectman
and postmaster for sometime; justice of the peace and notary public for
many years; he has held all town offices with the exception of that of
overseer of the poor, and has transacted more town business than any other
man who ever resided in Hardwick. His politics have been in consonance
with the government in all of its wars and controversies. Always an anti-slavery
man, he has been a staunch Republican since the organization of that party.
He represented this town in the legislature seven years, and Caledonia
county two years as state senator, and has served as associate judge of
the county court.
March 7, 1885, the fine residence which had been his home since,
1839, with his large mercantile establishment, comprising buildings with
a frontage of nearly two hundred feet, were entirely destroyed by fire.
To lose the cherished home of fifty years, with all its tender memories
and associations, was a great misfortune; but Mr. Aiken, with the vigor
of a young man, immediately purchased a dwelling house, and leased a store,
and out of the wreckage constructed a home, which, if not the old and cherished
one, yet under the skillful arrangement and care of Mrs. Aiken, presents
an attractive appearance, both external and internally. His merchandising
had but a brief interruption, and Mr. Aiken, in company with his son Edward,
still continues in active business under the firm name of D. W. Aiken &
Son. Mr. Aiken, in his religious preference, is a Unitarian, but
is not a member of any church organization. He believes that "morality
is the great hinge of life and respectability." He is a man of strict integrity,
marked generosity and liberality of character. As a business man, successful,
as a citizen respected and beloved, and as one who has done much to further
and promote the improvement and prosperity of the town, he stands among
the representative men. His manners are plain and unostentatious he is
cheerful, with all the brightness and vivacity of the prime of life, and
his conversation is an unusual flow of pure and almost classic English.
All in all, he is a worthy descendant of the good old clergyman of Dracut,
and has the satisfaction of having children who inherit many of the estimable
qualities of their several grandparents.
[Engraving
by B. B. Hall’s Sons, New York]
Source:
Gazetteer
of Caledonia and Essex Counties, VT; 1764-1887, by Hamilton Child,
May, 1887, page 211.
Additional
information available from Tom Dunn
who provided this photo and biographical sketch.
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