Frank R. Aikens, born on December 14, 1855, in New York City, was a distinguished lawyer and judge in South Dakota. Educated initially in Rome, New York, Aikens began studying law at a young age and was admitted to the New York bar in January 1877. He moved to Canton, South Dakota, in 1880, where he quickly established a successful law practice and became deeply involved in politics. Aikens served in the territorial assemblies and was appointed associate justice of the territorial supreme court in 1889. Later, he relocated to Sioux Falls, where he formed prominent legal partnerships. Known for his sharp legal mind and effective trial skills, Aikens earned a reputation as a leading figure in South Dakota’s legal community.
Frank R. Aikens was born in the city of New York, on the 14th of December, 1855, and in the public schools of Rome secured his preliminary educational discipline, though he became a student in a law office at so early an age that he may practically be said to have been educated under the benign panoply of the great profession of which he is a devotee. After five years of careful and discriminating study he was admitted to the bar of the Empire state, on the 5th of January, 1877, and he initiated the practice of his profession in Rome, that state, where he remained until August, 1880, when he came to Sioux Falls, South Dakota, whence he proceeded to Canton, Lincoln County, where he opened an office on the 1st of the following September. Of his subsequent career the following succinct outline has been given in a previous publication: “From the first he had a good practice, took an active part in politics, and in 1885 was elected to the provisional state senate. He was also elected to and served in the territorial assemblies of 1887 and 1889, being chairman of the judiciary committee in the former year, and serving as a member of the same committee, and as practically its chairman, in 1889. He was a prominent and influential member of the legislature during both sessions, and was recognized as one of its ablest debaters. He is always clear, concise and forcible in presenting his views, and has enough of the attributes of the orator in his composition to command the attention of any audience he may address. On the 19th of March, 1889, he was appointed associate justice of the territorial supreme court, and the following October was elected to the bench of the second judicial circuit for the first term thereof. At the expiration of his term of office he resumed the practice of law at Canton, where he remained until July, 1895, at which time he removed to Sioux Falls and entered into a co-partnership with the established firm of Bailey & Voorhees, under the new title of Aikens, Bailey & Voorhees, being the trial lawyer of the firm during the period of its existence, which terminated in October, 1897. On the 22d of that month he entered into partnership with Harold E. Judge, under the firm name of Aikens & Judge, and this effective alliance has since continued, the firm controlling a large and important business.”
Judge Aikens is a man of high attainments, of profound erudition and practical ability as a lawyer, and has won prestige because he has worked for it. He is endowed with a keen, analytical mind, and his powers as a trial lawyer are admirable, while his course on the bench shows that he is not lacking in those qualities which make for the best exercise of the judicial functions.
He stands high in professional, business, and social circles and his whole-souled, generous nature has won to him a host of friends in South Dakota.
Source: Robinson, Doane, History of South Dakota: together with mention of Citizens of South Dakota, [Logansport? IN] : B. F. Bowen, 1904.