Alameda County Biographies

GAVIN AITCHISON

Transcribed by Kathy Sedler

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In 1905, after an eventful period of close identification with mining interests in Alaska, 
Gavin Aitchison came to Alameda, turning his attention to the contracting and building 
business, in which he has engaged continuously since that time. A spirit of enterprise and 
progress has actuated him in all he has done and success has steadily attended his well 
directed labors so that he stands today among the representative and substantial business men 
of the city. He was born in Nova Scotia, July 9, 1855, and is a representative of one of the 
pioneer families of that province, his maternal great-grandfather having been one of the first 
settlers there and his father, James Aitchison, having come from his native Dumfriesshire, 
Scotland, to the province in 1834. He there turned his attention to general farming and 
followed that occupation successfully until his death in 1912. The mother of our subject was 
in her maidenhood Miss Ann Bell, a daughter of Gavin and Mary (Irving) Bell, of  Scotland.
        Gavin Aitchison acquired his education in the public schools of his native province 
and at the early age of ten laid aside his books in order to learn the carpentering business, 
completing his apprenticeship in 1879. He then became identified with mill work, taking charge 
of the Balfour mills of Waugh's River, Nova Scotia, whence after six months he came to the 
United States, settling in Boston, Massachusetts, in 1885. There he took up the carpenter's 
trade but after six months went to Waterbury, Connecticut, returning in 1886 to Waugh's River. 
There he again became connected with saw-milling, which he followed for one year thereafter, 
going in 1887 to Spring Hill, Nova Scotia, and there entering the contracting business for 
himself, thus beginning his independent career. He left Nova Scotia for California on the 1st 
of January, 1888, and after his arrival in San Francisco obtained work as a carpenter for the 
Spring Valley Water Company. In 1889 he secured a position in the bridge department of the 
Southern Pacific Railroad and retained it for four years, proving capable, efficient and 
conscientious in the discharge of his duties. From 1889 to 1898 he engaged in the carpentering 
business in San Francisco and in the latter year went to St. Michaels, where he worked as a 
carpenter on the construction of the Northern Alaska Transportation Company's hotel. From St. 
Michaels he went with dog teams to Gollivan bay as a prospector and was with the party that 
discovered Ophir Creek, a valuable property now owned and operated by the Northern Lights Mining 
Company.  In all Mr. Aitchison made six trips to Alaska but in 1905 returned to California with 
the intention of remaining permanently. He went to San Francisco and almost immediately afterward 
came to Alameda, where he established himself as a general contractor and builder. In this 
occupation he has engaged since that time and the excellent work he has accomplished is the best 
evidence of his ability and skill. He has erected many fine homes and other structures in this 
city and in the neighborhood, his buildings showing always excellent workmanship and artistic 
design. As a result his patronage has steadily increased and it has now reached extensive 
proportions, Mr. Aitchison being numbered among the leading contractors and builders in this 
section of the county.	Mr. Aitchison married Miss Mary Belle Matheson, a daughter of Angus and 
Margaret (Monroe) Matheson, of Pictou county, Nova Scotia. Mr. and Mrs. Aitchison are the parents 
of seven children: James Miller, aged thirty-three; Margaret Belle, thirty-one; John Walter, 
twenty-nine; Alexander Gordon, twenty-seven; Ethel Louise, twenty-five; and Mabel Irene and 
Gretta May, twins, aged eighteen.   
	Fraternally Mr. Aitchison is a member of Oak Grove Lodge, No. 115, F. & A. M., and he is 
president of the Alameda Improvement Club, a position in which he has accomplished a great deal 
of constructive and farsighted work. He is not a politician and the honors and emoluments of 
office have no attraction for him. He prefers rather to concentrate his attention upon his 
business affairs, in which he has been very successful, and much credit is due to him for the 
position he has attained among the substantial and representative business men of Alameda.       

 

Past & Present of Alameda County, California – Vol II, S. J. Clarke Publ. Co., 1914, p. 338