Tag: Woodland Avenue

WILLIAM C. AITKEN was born around 1846. He first came to America in 1869. He moved to Camden in the early 1880s. He was active as a builder in the latter part of the 19th and early 20th centuries. He built rows of homes on Cooper Street between 9th and 11th Streets. Many of these homes were destroyed in the 1940 Hollingshead fire. He also built a row of homes on Seventh street at Woodland Avenue. At the time of the 1920 Census he made his home with wife Elizabeth at 205 Pearl Street. This home was taken in late 1923 or early 1924 to make way for the Delaware River (Ben Franklin) Bridge.

William C. Aitken later made his home at 421 Penn Street in Camden, which is now part of the Rutgers University campus. He lived very near to advertising magnate F. Wayland Ayer.

William C. Aitken died on February 14, 1933. He was survived by four sons and two daughters, nine children, and two great grandchildren. His grandson, Richard Knight Aitken, died while serving with the United States Army in Louisiana on February 17, 1943.

Camden Courier-Post – October 16, 1933
The funeral of William C. Aitken, 87, retired builder, who died Saturday at his home at 421 Penn street, will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday.

The funeral of William C. Aitken, 87, retired builder, who died Saturday at his home at 421 Penn street, will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday.

Mr. Aitken was one of the best known builders of his day. He erected more than 200 houses, principally on Cooper street, He built rows on both sides of that street from Ninth to Eleventh streets, He also constructed another, row at Seventh street and Woodland avenue.

He had been a resident of Camden for more than 50 years. He is survived by four sons and two daughters: Edward C., chief engineer for the West Jersey Title and Guaranty Company; Richard C, and Henry W., of Camden, and William J., of Chicago; Mrs, Isabelle Shedaker, of Camden, and Mrs. Lydie R. Brooks, of Contra Costa, California. He is also survived by nine grand children and-two great grandchildren.

He was the husband of the late Elizabeth C. Aitken. Mr. Aitken was a member of First Presbyterian Church. Rev. Augustus D. Whitney, Jr., pastor, will have charge of the services and burial will be in Locustwood Cemetery