Aaron Aber

Aaron Aber, of Paris township, Kent county, Mich., has been the home and scene of labor of many men who have not only led lives that serve as examples for others, but have also been of important service to the commonwealth through various avenues of usefulness. Among these the name of the late Aaron Aber is certainly entitled to conspicuous mention, by reason of the fact, that, for a number of years, he was a prominent factor in the progress and development which have characterized the growth of this section of the county. Mr. Aber was a native of New York, was born in what is now Schuyler county, that state, September 20, 1828, and was a son of Philip and Eleanor (Cox) Aber. He was reared and educated in the place of his nativity and there remained until 1853, at which time he came to Michigan, and located in Kent county, whither many of his former neighbors and friends had preceded him. On the 9^th day of May, 1859, he married, in Oakfield, Kent county, Miss Catherine E. Horton, daughter of Warren and Harriet (Darby) Horton, who was born in Orange county, N. Y., June 7, 1830. During the six years succeeding his marriage, Mr. Aber lived in Montcalm county, and in April, 1865, purchased the present farm, consisting of 160 acres in Paris township. Here he spent the remaining years of his life in the peaceful pursuit of agriculture. Mr. Aber was an advanced farmer, as the well kept appearance of his place fully attests, and took great pride in his home, being rarely found absent therefrom unless urgent business called him elsewhere. Indeed, he was what may be termed a "home body," domestic in his tastes, believing in making his dwelling the most desirable spot on earth, so far as he and his family were concerned. By diligent attention to his business he prospered, and by embodying in his life the principles of the Golden Rule, won many warm friends, and stood deservedly high in the estimation of his fellow-citizens. An unswerving democrat in politics, his modesty forbade him asking honor or emoluments of office; and for partisan methods he had no sympathy and but little respect. Fraternally he belonged to the Masonic order, being for many years an active worker in lodge No. 24, at Grand Rapids. The broad principles of justice and equity exemplified in the teaching of Christ, represented his religious creed; and to deal justice tempered with mercy was his rule of conduct: throughout life. He never saw fit to identify himself with any religious body, nevertheless was a firm believer in a broad religion, and was a friend of churches of whatsoever name or creed. His life work is his own best monument, and his death, which occurred on the 17^th day of February, 1899, was an irreparable loss, not only to the immediate family but to the entire community. Mrs. Aber was brought by her parents to Michigan in 1849 and until her marriage lived in Oakfield, where both her father and mother are buried. Her family at this time consists of two daughters, the elder of whom is Mrs. Hattie Bostwick Bowen, and has four children, namely: Jessie, Ethel, Cora and Burr Aber Bowen. The second daughter is the wife of Edward Reed, who operates the home farm. Mrs. Aber is a lady of intelligence and mature judgment, highly esteemed by her neighbors and always interested in every good work. She has acted well her part in life and the future awaits her with bounteous rewards.