[1] Pikin's father was a prominent Montpelier businessman and banker, served as a Union Army officer during the American Civil War, and later attained the rank of brigadier general as quartermaster of the Vermont Militia.

[3] Deciding on a legal career, he studied law with Benjamin F. Fifield of Montpelier, and attained admission to the bar in 1872.

[1] In 1887, Pitkin succeeded Kittredge Haskins as United States attorney for the District of Vermont.

[1] He became the company's secretary, and soon after resigning as U.S. attorney he gave up the practice of law to devote his full attention to Lane Manufacturing.

[1] Pitkin continued to serve as secretary of Lane Manufacturing, and resided on a farm near Montpelier Junction in the town of Berlin.