14
Kate Aitken was born to parents of Scots-Irish heritage, who originally came from Eramosa Township in Wellington County. Her father, Robert Aitken, was said to be related to Sir Walter Scott. Her mother was Anne Kennedy Scott.15
Kate aitkens family beeton store23 August 2007
16
Shortly after they were married, Robert and Anne Scott settled into the general store on the east corner of main and centre street in Beeton. The sprawling building, erected after a disasterous fire destroyed much of Beeton's main street, was a combined house and general store.17
kate and her brother walter23 August 2007
18
In the household, Kate was surrounded by domesticity. She learned the art of cooking and homemaking at her Mother's side. Anne was an excellent cook and homemaker.This is a picture of young Kate and her brother Walter.
19
Kate as a baby23 August 2007
20
Katherine May Scott was born in 1891 and raised in Beeton.21
Kate and her family23 August 2007
22
Kate was the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Robert Scott, and was the fifth child, and eldest daughter in a family of seven children.23
Kate at cypress hill23 August 2007
24
When Kate was only fourteen, she trained to be a teacher. At an early age of sixteen she taught school in Adjala Township, later venturing to Cypress Hill, Saskatchewan, to teach. Kate returned home when her Father died, to help with the general store.25
James Aitken23 August 2007
26
Kate describes her childhood in Beeton like this:"The men in our community really ruled the roost. There were no female members of the school board, no women lawyers, no women doctors, and no women in business. The function of the women was to marry as early and as advantageously as possible, to bear a large family, to run a home economically, and to create a happy atmosphere. If they were farm wives, their total cash resources were the butter and egg money, from which both food and clothing had to be provided. Their social activities were limited to church affairs, their own tea-parties, and an occasional dance".
27
Henry Aitken23 August 2007
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