Polk Co. IAGenWeb

AITON, ROBERT - Was born in New York City, December 11, 1844, and was there raised. In May, 1862, he enlisted in the Twelfth New York regiment; was commissioned first lieutenant of the Twenty-sixth United States colored troops in January, 1864, and in February, 1865, to captainof the One Hundred and Twenty-eighth United States colored troops. He came to Iowa in 1868, and was principal of the Bedford High School in 1868 and 1870. Having studied law, he was admitted to practice in September, 1869, by Judge McDill, and moving to Malvern, Mills county, in March, 1873, soon acquired an extensive practice. He was elected mayor of Malvern in April, 1875, and served for one year. In September, 1877, he established the Mills County Republican, and in August of the year following he came to this county, locating in Des Moines, having purchased the Des Moines News, of which paper he has since been the editor. Mr. Aiton is a stalwart Republican, and is doing good work for the party as secretary of the State Council of the Union League. In 1869 he was married to Miss Nellie Pangburn. They have by this union two children: Archie and Maude.