John Aikman

He was born in Prahran to surveyor Robert Aikman and Ann Davis Woodman.

He attended a private school in Brunswick, leaving at the age of twelve to work as a printer's assistant.

He then became a draper, co-owning several stores until 1893, when he purchased Richards and Company and Wallachs, a Melbourne-based firm.

A non-Labor member, he lost to Labor candidate Daniel McNamara in 1916 but was returned on petition.

He was defeated again in 1922 and left state politics, but remained on Melbourne City Council.