Background
Aken, William Russell Van was born on December 1, 1912 in Shaker Heights, Ohio, United States. Son of William J. and Florence E. (Swallow) Van Aken.
Aken, William Russell Van was born on December 1, 1912 in Shaker Heights, Ohio, United States. Son of William J. and Florence E. (Swallow) Van Aken.
Bachelor of Science, Lafayette College, 1934. Bachelor of Laws, Western Reserve University, 1937.
Since practiced in, Cleveland. Member firm Van Aken & Bond (formerly Van Aken, Bond, Withers, Asman & Smith), from 1949. President William J. Van Aken Organization, Inc.
(real estate, property management), 1951-1972. Director, vice president Ohio Bar Title Insurance Company.
Trustee, chairman board Ohio Bar Automated Research Corporation. Vice president, trustee Ohio Information Committee. Member Ohio Legislature, 1943-1944, 47-48, Shaker Heights City Council, 1951-1955, Ohio Republican Central and Executive Committee, 1954-1964, Cuyahoga County Republican Central Committee, 1942-1964.
President board trustees Heather Hill, Inc., 1970-1978. Trustee Shaker History Society, president, 1964-1966, 70-71. Trustee Ohio Legal Center Institute, 1971-1977.
Board managers Heights Young Men’s Christian Association, 1942-1973. Fellow American Bar Foundation, Ohio Bar Foundation (trustee, president 1971-1977). Member American Judicature Society, Apartment and Home Owners Association (trustee, past president), American Bar Association, Ohio Bar Association (council delegations, president 1958-1959), National Conference State Bar Foundations (president 1977-1979, trustee since 1979), Northeastern Ohio Intermus.
Council (chairman 1968-1970, trustee since 1968, vice chairman 1977), Cleveland Federation Realty Interests, Cleveland Real Estate Board (president 1957, trustee 1953-1958), American College Real Estate Lawyers, Greater Cleveland Growth Association, Ohio, Western Reserve history societies, Early Settlers Association (vice president), Phi Gamma Delta (general counsel 1969-1972), Delta Theta Phi. Clubs: Union (Cleveland), Mid-Day (Cleveland), Skating (Cleveland). University (Columbus).
Lodge: Rotary.
Married Dorothy Harrison, April 27, 1940. Children: Nancy, William R. (deceased), Mary Alice, Dorothy Louise, William J. World War II.