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Home > California > Stone Carvers... > Menu > Cemetery Stone & Monument Carvers...Alphabetical List > Andrew M.Aitken > Research Notes
The following research notes were made by Leeanna Rossi, author of “Headstones of The Gold Rush Era: Sculpting Masterpieces in Marble,” available through the Old Sacramento City Cemetery. (I have only modified them by completing abbreviated words.) These notes were generously contributed by Leeanna so others could benefit from all of her research. Visit “Citation List of Leeanna Rossi’s Research Notes,” to look up the corresponding numbers inside the parentheses listed in this document.
ANDREW M. AITKEN, Stone Carver & Monument Company Owner
Place of birth: Fifeshire, Scotland - (3,46)
Date of birth: 1824 - (46)
Date of death: 09/20/04 - (5 & 21)
Pre-California:
1832 - Andrew Aitken migrated to Canada from Scotland - (46)
1847 - Lawrence, Mass. super. stone cutting for a dam and mill - (46)
1848 - Holyoke, Mass. same - (46)
1849 - California and mined 1 year on Condemned Bar, American River - (46); commenced teaming to the mines (for 3 years - 48) - (46)
Employment:
9/1852 - Israel Luce & Andrew Aitken L/7- (29)
9/1853 - Andrew Aitken & Israel Luce - (91)
1853-1854 - Indian Diggings Quarries discovered by Israel Luce in El Dorado County - (178)
1/1854 - Andrew Aitken Stone & Marble Works, (7/L) (with Israel Luce) - (27)
1855 - Advertisement: “ANDREW AITKEN, Contractor for Stone and Marble Work, also stone cutter, and DEALER IN FREESTONE and MARBLE, corner Seventh and L Streets, Sacramento. All kinds of Ornamental and House work done at the shortest notice and on reasonable terms.” - (28)
8/1/1855 - Andrew Aitken (with Luce) - (28)
11/30/1855 - Andrew Aitken joins Free & Accepted Masons, Sacramento Lodge #40, est. 7/26/1853, 46 members - (18); until 7/6/94 - (23)
1856 - A. Aitken, Marble & Stone Cutter, (L/7) (with Israel Luce) - (29)
1856 - “REVIEW OF SACRAMENTO: STONE AND MARBLE.” quarry site - (29)
1856 - Advertisement: “ANDREW AITKEN, CONTRACTOR FOR STONE & MARBLE WORK, Also, Stone Cutter, and Dealer in Freestone and Marble. Gravestones and Monuments - Prepared and constantly on hand. Corner Seventh & L Streets, Sacramento. All kinds of Ornamental and House Work, done at the shortest notice and on reasonable terms.” - (29)
1856 - Commission of tomb to Capt. Houston at City Cemetery with headstone by P. J (Devine). - (54)
1856 - Commission by Fire Department’s Board of Delegates to fashion 40 granite posts enclosing the department’s plot in the City Cemetery - (54)
1856-1857 - Hydraulic mining began at Indian Diggings - (178)
1857-1858 - Andrew Aitken Marble Works - (217) J (with Israel Luce) - (30)
1857-1860 - Began taking marble out of Indian Diggings - (178)
1857 - Masons, Sacramento Lodge #40, "J. D." - (30)
1857 - “FIRE DEPARTMENT: PROTECTION ENGINE CO., NO. 2 (Honey Bees) Motto: “Duty, tho’ in Peril.” House on Eighth street, between J/K. Officers: Aitken, 1st Assistant. Also elected as president of the FIRE DEPARTMENT BOARD OF DELEGATES. Company organized March 22d, 1851; engine built by Smith of New York; since its arrival, have had large cylinders put in, and extension brakes, which additions have improved her working materially, and have made her a first-class engine. They can put sixty-six men on the brakes. When don’t they know how to ‘break down?’ The elections are held twice a year, October and April.” - (30)
1857 - Advertisement: “ANDREW AITKEN & CO. CONTRACTORS FOR STONE & MARBLE WORK, Dealers in Freestone and Marble. All Kinds of Marble & Stone Work done reasonably. GRAVESTONES, MONUMENTS, ETC. Constantly on hand and made to order, at 217 J Street, bet. Seventh and Eighth, Sacramento.” - (30)
1858 - “FIRE DEPARTMENT, PROTECTION ENGINE CO. NO. 2, house on Eighth street, bet J/K. Engine built by Smith of New York. Officers: Andrew Aitken, 1st Assistant.”- (126)
1858 - Masons, Sacramento Lodge #40, “J.W.”- (126)
6/18/1859 - Commission monument to Senator W.R. Ferguson (See P.J. Devine.)
9/13/1859 - Erected corner stone of Pavilion Building in Stockton, $40.00 - (176)
1859 - State Fair displayed 2 statuettes, 2 granite bases, 3 monuments, 1 freestone bust; won first monument, second granite display; premium $50.00 - (176); all marble displays from Indian Diggings - (178)
1860 - Masons, Sacramento Lodge #40, “J. W.”- (92, 18)
1860 - Married Jessie Davidson of Scotland - (46)
1860 - Advertisement: “Aitken & Co., Premium Pioneer Marble Works, 207 J St bet. 7/8, Sacramento. Marble and Benicia Freestone, Grave Stones, Monuments, etc. All kinds of work in Native California Marble. Sculpture and Ornamental Work done in Superior Style; also Marble furnished in the rough.”- (92)
5/11/1860 - “LOCAL NEWS. THE MONUMENTS.” Assemblyman Bell - (111); Assembly resolution $1000 for monument (4/16/1860) - (175)
1860 - Aitken & Co. Pioneer Marble Works, 207 J 7/8 (with Israel Luce), residence same - (18)
1860 - Masons, Sacramento Lodge #40, “S.W.” - (31)
1861 - Erected steam mill with 3 gangs of saws at Indian Diggings - (178)
1861-1862 - “Aitken & Co., Premium Pioneer California Marble Works, 101 K St., Bet. 4th and 5th, Sacramento. Monuments, Tomb & Grave stones, Table Tops, Washstands, etc., All kinds of Work in Indian Diggings’ Marble. Sculpture & Ornament’l work in superior style.” - (85)
1861-1862 - Aitken & Co. Marble Works, 103 K (with Israel Luce), residence 86 8th - (31, 85)
5/28/1863 - Notice of Bid: Granite, etc., prop by William Andrews, surety by Aitken - (206, 205)
1863 - State Fair won best monument, second monument, best center piece, best statuette, best exhibit in marble; premium $34.00 - (177)
12/21/1863 - Monument for Hon. Thomas Campbell $850.00 - (148, 166, 238)
1865 - State Fair won best marble exhibit, best mantle, best monument, best statuette; premium $46.00 - (178)
1/21/1866 - Elected Elder and Trustee of Westminster Presbyterian Church, remained until 1880 - (46)
10/22/1866 - Elected to Board of Managers of Young Men’s Christian Association. Association organized 10/3/1866, meetings held at First Baptist Church with 26 members. Also voted VP representing the Presbyterian Church. Association ended in 1877 or 78 - (46)
8/15/1867 - Removal of monument $100.00 - (168) - (146)
1867 - State Fair won first California marble, best work in California marble; “Statement of Aitken & Co.” for gold medal; premium $25.00 - (179)
1868 - First wife, Jessie Davidson, dies - (46) (in child birth? Son dies in 1869 - 46)
6/30/1868 - Advertisement: “REMOVAL. AITKEN & CO. Have moved their Marble Works to 177 K Street, bet. Sixth and Seventh, (Second door west of the Golden Eagle Hotel.) OWING TO THE FACT THAT they own the Quarry, Quarry, Saw and Finish their own Marble, they can and will do Better Work, for the Same Money, than can be had in the State. We offer Mantles lower than ever. N.B. - The Office of Israel Luce, Superintendent of the City Cemetery, is removed to the same place.” - (112)
9/3/1868 - Naturalized Sacramento County - (13, 14, 22)
1868 - Marble cutter - (8); residence 8 K/L - (7)
1/19/1869 - Notice of Bid: 55 mantels - (61); cont. to P. J. Devine - (62); prop by A & Co. - (212, 213)
1869 - Aitken & Co. Marble Works, 177 K (with Boyne & Luce), residence Golden Eagle Hotel, K/7 - (32, 89)
9/2/1869 - Marries second wife, Hattie A. Marsh, of New Jersey - (5, 24); 3 children: Jessie Aitken, Annie Aitken, and Andrew Aitken - (3)
1870 - Aitken & Luce Premium Pioneer Marble Works (with Israel Luce), 177 K - (90)
1870 - State Fair displayed sculpture “spreadwing dove”, monuments: pile rocks with lamb, 5 monuments 4 sculptures 1 marble table; best sculpture, second sculpture; “Statement of Aitken & Luce” for gold medal - (182)
1871 - Advertisement: “Aitken & Luce Premium Pioneer Marble Works, 177 K St., bet. 6th and 7th, Sacramento. Monuments, Tomb and Grave Stones, Mantles, Table Tops, Wash Stands, etc. All kinds of work done in Indian Diggings, Italian and Vermont Marble, Marble at wholesale and retail.” - (91)
1871 - AITKEN & LUCE Marble Works, 177 K 6/7. “These marble works were established February 1, 1851, by Israel Luce, and changed to Luce & Loveland same year, Luce & Huey 1852, Aitken & Luce September 1853, and has continued under this firm name to the present date.” - (91)
1872 - Aitken & Co., Premium Marble Works, AKA Aitken & Luce, 177 K - (93)
8/8/1872 - Erection of Monument $1000.00 (Governor John Bigler on 8/1/72); 12/4/72 Erection of Monument $14.00 - (161, 172)
8/29/1872 - Notice of Bid: marble tiling - (217); prop by A & L - (218)
11/25/1872 - Aitken & Luce Premium Pioneer Marble Works, 177 K 6/7, work done in Indian Diggings, Italian and Vermont marble - (66); Receipt for $14.00 from State Capitol project for fire bricks and grate baskets - (66)
12/4/1872 - Capitol fund $30.13 - (173)
3/3/1873 - Capitol fund $8.00 - (173)
4/14/1873 - Aitken & Luce Premium Pioneer Marble Works, 177 K 6/7 (with Boyne, Luce & John C. Luce) - (20)
1873 - Advertisement: “Aitken & Luce Premium Pioneer Marble Works, 177 K St., bet. 6th and 7th, Sacramento. Monuments, Tomb and Grave Stones, Mantles, Table Tops, Wash Stands, etc. All kinds of work done in Indian Diggings, Italian and Vermont Marble, Marble at wholesale and retail.” - (94)
12/4/1873 - Construction on State Capitol $30.13; 3/3/74 Construction on State Capitol $8.00 - (162)
1873 - State Fair (lifetime membership for Aitken $45.00) displayed California marble, 3 mantles, 1 monument, 4 California marble monuments, 5 plaster statuettes, 2 plaster busts, collection of marble works, exhibit of plaster statuetes, lamb monument, 1 California marble tablet, 1 Vermont tablet, 2 Italian vases; won best display of California marble, best collection of marble works, best exhibit statuary & busts in plaster; WON GOLD MEDAL; “STATEMENT OF AITKEN & LUCE” on gold medal; premiums (A & L) $115.00 - (185)
5/5/1874 - “IMPOSING MONUMENT” of John Arnold - (115)
7/8/1874 - Construction at the State Armory $14.04 - (163, 174)
1874 - Advertisement: “Aitken & Luce Premium Pioneer Marble Works, The Society’s Gold Medal awarded by the State Agricultural Society of California for 1873 (and 1874), for most Meritorious Exhibition. 177 K St., bet. 6th and 7th, Sacramento. Monuments, Tomb and Grave Stones, Mantles, Table Tops, Wash Stands, etc. All kinds of work done in Indian Diggings, Italian and Vermont Marble, Marble at wholesale and retail.” - (95, 33)
1874 - Aitken & Luce, 177 K, quarry located Indian Diggings, El Dorado Co. (with Boyne, Luce & John C. Luce), residence L 9/10 -(33, 34) ; end 1/78 - (46)
1874 - State Fair displayed sculptures of lambs, doves and rose wreath, female bust, statues; won best display in California marble, best exhibit sculptures, best exhibit plaster statuary and busts, best collect marble works; WON GOLD MEDAL; “STATEMENT OF AITKEN & LUCE” for gold medal; premiums (A&L)$145.00 - (186)
1875 - Advertisement: Aitken & Luce Prem. Pioneer M W (see 1874 advertisement) - (96)
1876 - “OUR INDUSTRY - MARBLE WORKS. The most extensive works in this line are those of Messrs. Aitken & Luce, on K street, between Sixth and Seventh. They employ about twenty-five hands at the shops in the city and at their quarries. They make tombstones, monuments, mantels, and all kinds of work in every variety of marble, but have a superior quality of California marble, which is taken from their own quarries at Indian Diggings, which has become very popular through out the coast. The marble is of the finest quality, and is susceptible of the highest polish.” - (125)
5/3/1876 - Construction at the State Printing Office $4.00 - (164)
1876 - State Fair displayed California marble, dressed stone, 6 monuments, 3 statues, 2 vases with pedestals, 1 Vermont scroll, 1 granite headstone, swinging dove; won best display California marble, best display dressed stone, best exhibit sculpture, best display California marble, best collection of marble work, best display dressed stone; premium (A & L) $150.00 - (187)
1877 - State Fair displayed California marble, statuary, marble works; won best display California marble; premium (A & L) $20.00 - (188)
1878 - State Fair displayed California marble, statuary, marble works, sculpture; won best display California marble, best exhibit sculpture, best collection of marble works; premium (A & F) $95.00 - (189)
1879 - Aitken & Fish Pioneer Marble Works, 177 K (with Frank, Morris and Anthony Fish), residence L 9/10 - (34)
1879 - State Fair displayed California marble, dressed stone collection of marble works, sculpture, plaster statuary & busts; won best dressed stone, best display California marble, best collection of marble works; premium (A & F) $45.13 - (190)
1880 - Aitken & Fish Pioneer Marble Works, 617 K, employs 8 men and uses annually about 50 tons of marble and 35 tons of granite - (46)
1880 - Business valued at $12,000; greatest number of employees: 12, males over 16-18, average wage per day skilled: $3.00; unskilled: $2.00; number of hours per day May-November: 10; November-May: 9; total wages: $6240; value of material: $6000; value of product: $20,000 - (48)
12/24/1880 - Advertisement: “MARBLE WORKS. Can stored urn or animated bust, back to its mansion call the fleeting breath? Ask Gray in his ‘Elegy in the Country Churchyard.’ Everyone knows that the answer to that would be - that the lamp of life which is out forever. Yet there is a pleasure to the living in bringing back fond recollections of the dead, in having some memento of them in sight to remind them of those who have gone before, in tending to their graves, in seeing that white marble lifts its pure head to the sky, while the breeze is whispering in the trees, the flowers warming in the sun, and the birds caroling in the air. There can be no more appropriate remembrance of the dead than a tasteful monument - a token of love - framed by skilled artisans out of the beautiful marble kept by Aitken & Fish, No. 617 K Street, bet Sixth and Seventh.”- (113)
1880 - State Fair displayed California marble, carved mantle; won best collection of marble works, best carved mantle; premium (A & F) $3.00 - (191)
7/26/1881 - Notice of Bid: granite & iron enclosure - (221); surety for McGuire and Carlaw by Aitken - (226, 228, 229)
2/2/1882 - Perm. Improve to Capitol Grounds $4.00 - (153)
1882 - State Fair displayed California marble work, marbleized slate mantles, parlor grate; won best collection of marble works, best marbleized slate mantle, best parlor grate; premium (A & F) $33.00 - (193)
1882-1884 - Aitken & Fish Pioneer Marble & Granite Works, 617 K (with Frank, Anthony and Morris Fish) - (129, 130, 19)
1883 - State Fair displayed California marble work, marbleized slate mantles, parlor grate; won best marbleized slate mantle, best parlor grate; premium (A & F) $33.00 - (194)
1884 - State Fair displayed California marble work, marbleized slate mantles, parlor grate; won best marbleized slate mantle, best parlor grate; premium $3.00 - (195)
1885 - State Fair displayed California marble work, marbleized slate mantles, marbleized iron mantle, marble mantles, statue, parlor grate; won best marble works, best marbleized slate mantle, best marbleized iron mantle, best mantles, best parlor grate; premium $3.00 - (196)
1885-1886 - Andrew Aitken, proprietor of the Premium Pioneer Marble & Granite Works, 617 K (with Anthony and Morris Fish) (Frank Fish as traveling agent) - (131)
1888 - State Fair displayed California marble work, flooring tile, marbleized slate mantles, marbleized iron mantle, statuary marble mantles, parlor grate; won best flooring tile, best marble works, best marbleized slate mantle, best marbleized iron mantle, best statuary mantles, best parlor grate; premium $38.00 - (199)
1889 - A. Aitken Marble & Granite Works, 423 J (with Anthony Fish) - (35); proprietor Premium Pioneer Marble & Granite Works, 423 J (with Anthony and Morris Fish) - (132)
1889 - State Fair displayed California marble work, flooring tile, marbleized mantles, marble mantles, parlor grate; won best flooring tile, best marbleized mantles, best marble mantles, best parlor grate, best wooden mantle; premium $48.00 - (200)
12/10/1889 - Care of State Burial Ground $95.00 (monument to Sen. Henry Edgerton died 11/4/1887); 12/24/1890 Repairs to Capitol Building $12.00 - (158)
1890 - State Fair displayed marbleized stone, flooring tile, fire bricks, marbleized slate mantle, dressed stone, granite monument, collection of marble works, parlor grate; won best flooring tile, best marbleized slate mantle, best fire bricks, best parlor grate, best wooden mantle, best marbleized stone, best collection of marble works, best dressed stone; premium $61.00 - (201)
1891 - State Fair won best marbleized slate mantles, best collection of marble works, best dressed stone, best display marble mantles; premium $35.00 - (202)
1891 - A. Aitken Pioneer Marble & Granite Works, 423 J - (36)
1892 - Advertisement “A. AITKEN, PIONEER GRANITE AND MARBLE WORKS, 423 J St., bet. 4th and 5th, Sacramento. Direct Importer of Scotch, Swede and Eastern Granite Monuments. Wood, Slate and Marble Mantels. Floor and Hearth Tiling at Reduced Prices, Call and examine my large stock.” (with Anthony Fish) - (133)
1893-1894 - Advertisement: “A. AITKEN PIONEER GRANITE & MARBLE WORKS, 423 J St. , bet 4th and 5th, Sacramento“ (see 1892 advertisement.) (with Anthony Fish) - (134, 135)
1893 - Andrew M. Aitken, Jr., clerk - (134)
1894-1895 - Andrew M. Aitken, Jr., marble cutter (with Anthony Fish) - (135, 136)
1896 - A. Aitken Granite & Marble Monuments & Statuary, 216 J-37; (with Andrew Aitken, Jr., and Anthony Fish) - (137, 118); res 2506 L (with Annie & Jessie) - (37, 118, 137)
12/5/1897 - Def. Ref Tax Building $4.52 - (159)
1897 - No marble works listed, Andrew Aitken, Jr., marble cutter, dwl 1818 F - (138)
1898-1899 - No employment listed - (139, 140)
1900 - Solicitor - (141)
1902-1904 - No employment listed - (142, 143, 38, 39, 40), residence 1818 F (with Annie & Jessie Aitken) - (39, 40)
1904 - Marble cutter - (21)
9/20/1904 - ANDREW AITKEN DIED IN SACRAMENTO, age 80, residence 1818 F - (21)
Address: 1884-1892 915 L Street - (14, 13 & 19)
Ages: 68/46 - (8), 73/51 - (10), 79/52 - (11), 80/56 - (3), 82/57 - (12), 90/66 - (13), 92/67 - (14)
Vital Statistics: Height: 5 foot, 8 inches tall; complexion, light; eyes, blue; hair, gray - (14)
Other Information: Extra thumb on right hand - (14); trustee of the Fire Department; and President of the Board of Delegates - (46); 35 years in Co. & Ct., died of apoplexy and heart disease, buried in City Cemetery on 9/21/1904 - (21)
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