On January 1, 1879, he married a daughter of the venerable Samuel S. Vick and wife, Miss Parle Vick.
In the 1880 census, William is 25 and Parle is 22, they have no children yet being newly married for only more than a year. They live close to Isham Blankenship and his nephew, Willis Aikman, on the west edge of town and are farmers.
Between 1880 and 1900, the Aikmans would have seven children, two boys and five girls. In 1881, they give birth to their first son, Alfred who dies in infancy, followed by Martha A. Aikman in July 1882. Lida A. Aikman was born in October 1885, Samuel Vick Aikman in June 1888, Nell A. Aikman in September 1891, Ruth Kay Aikman in January 1894 and Parlee Aikman in March 1896.
In 1898, the Williamson County Board of Education was organized and its first members were: William H. Bundy, its first president, W. W. Clemmens, Judge W. W. Duncan, Dr. A. M. Edwards, John M. Cline, William J. Aikman and J. H. Burnett. William would serve several terms on the school board.
In the 1900 census, William is 45, Parle is 42. All six children are living at home and range from Martha the oldest at 17 to Parle the youngest at 4 years old. William lists himself as a farmer. They are living in his old family home at the northeast corner of W. Main and N. Russell and are known to own the property where the W. Main High School was located as well as many other large pieces of land on this side of town.
Aikman served on the Williamson County Agricultural Association for years, was President from 1903-1905 and served on the Williamson County Fair board for two decades.
In October 1903, the eldest daughter, Martha, becomes the second wife of Dr. Griffin Jonathon Baker.
Mrs. Parle Aikman is Treasurer of the local Eastern Star organization in 1904.
In 1906, the Aikmans build their new family home at 1414 W. Main Street. The new home was built in the location of William’s old family home that he had been raised in and married int. The home has 12 rooms beginning with an entry hall 11 feet wide and extending 30 feet north from the front door and will easily accommodate the large family.
By the 1910 census, Aikman who had always handled livestock, lists himself now as a livestock dealer in the census records. The couple has reached their early to mid-50’s in life. Lydia, 24, is now teaching school at Rascal Ridge School just outside the west side of the city. Samuel, now 23 is working as a bank teller at the Marion State and Savings Bank. Nellie 18, Ruth 16 and Parlee 14 are still attending school.
Son Samuel marries Ethel Copher around 1911 and moves out of the family home.
August 8, 1914 brings a downturn when Mrs. Parle Aikman dies at the age of 56 leaving a widowed William and four remaining daughters.
William had become one of the largest real estate owners in Marion, an active livestock dealer and served as Vice President and director of the Marion State and Savings Bank.
The 1920 census finds William at the age of 65 serving as bank director, Lydia 34 is keeping house for the family with the help of a 21 Year old live-in domestic by the name of Mary Bayles. Nellie 28, Ruth 26 and Parlee 24 are all school teachers.
On May 30, 1926, William Aikman died at 72 and was buried with his wife at Rose Hill Cemetery. Mr. Aikman was Democratic in politics, a member of the M. E. church South, and belonged to Fellowship Lodge, No. 89, A. F. and A. M.
(Data from 1905 Souvenir History, WCHS; 1989 Sesquicentennial History; Federal Census Records; Marion City Cemetery Records; Marion City Directories; compiled by Sam Lattuca on 03/19/2013)
Sam’s Notes: It is known that Aikman owned the block of property that the old High School on West Main sat on. He kept it fenced off and it contained a stock pond. See West Main memories.
Notes on their children:
Alfred Aikman (1861-8161)
Martha A. Aikman (1882-Jan 8, 1947) Married Dr. Jonathon Baker in October 1903; Children , Mary Lee Baker (1906- xxxx), Griffin Jonathon Baker (1917-1995)
Lida A. Aikman (1885-1926), no children
Samuel Vick Aikman (17 June 1888-26 Dec 1947) Married Ethel Copher: Children, Roxanna Aikman (1912-2004), Martha E. Aikman (1915-1974), Samuel Vick Aikman, Jr. (1927-May 16, 2000) Samuel Jr. was active in Zion Church, Married Elflora Kaeser, served in U.S. Navy in 1945-46.
Nell A. Aikman (1891-1973), no children, taught in Marion Jr. High School
Ruth Kay Aikman (1894-Sept. 11, 1978) Married Rev. Oliver H. Sweitzer on 23 July, 1928, no children; died in Lawrenceville, Illinois; taught at Rascal Ridge School house and worked at Marion State and Savings Bank.
Parlee Aikman (1896-25 Nov 1973) Married Louis Conrath (1898-1983); died in Winterpark, Florida; no children found