John Aird (1800-1876)
John Aird (1800–1876), contractor
His father, Robert Aird, had moved south from Fortrose, Ross-shire, early in the nineteenth century, and worked for Hugh McIntosh, the civil engineering contractor.
After Robert's death in an earth fall on the Regent's Canal works, John Aird continued to work for McIntosh until 1827.
Married Agnes Bennett (d. 1869), daughter of Charles Bennett of Lambeth. They had eight children.
John Aird obtain a position with the Phoenix Gas Co, initially as an inspector and subsequently as manager of their works in Greenwich.
During the 1840s he took an increasing number of private contracts.
1848 Founded a company (which later became John Aird and Sons) with the objective of laying mains for gas and water companies in London.
1854 John Aird took shares in the Crystal Palace Gas Co, whose works the company built.
1876 Died; the business was continued by his son, particularly John Aird (1833-1911)
1876 Obituary [1]