JOHN J. NABER

John J. Naber, a representative general agriculturist and enterprising citizen of section 35, Holland township, Ottawa County, Mich., is a native of the wolverine State, and was born on the same farm where he now resides in the year 1855. Our subject is a son of Johanas and Anna (Devries) Naber, well-known and long-time residents of Holland. The paternal grandparents were John and Cora (Vanderscheer) Naber. The grandfather worked by the day as a farmer, and lived and died in the Netherlands. The father, born in the Old Country May 17, 1813, owned a small farm, but was obliged to work by the day for others to eke out a living for family. Entering the service of the Government as a soldier, he was thus registered: "Reddish face, round forehead, eyes brown, nose natural, hair black, no marks on body." Entering the Eighteenth Regiment he received his discharge September 15, 1839. He married in the Netherlands, and unto him and his estimable wife were born in the Old Country two children, one of whom died in the Netherlands and the other passed away while crossing the ocean. He emigrated to the United States in 1848, locating at once in Holland Township, Ottawa County, where he immediately purchased the farm upon which our subject now resides., forty-five acres of Government land, from which not even one tree had been cut.

The father slept for thirty days in a bush shanty while looking for land and building a little one-room house from trees felled on his own acres. To the original purchase he added forty acres more, al now cleared, cultivated highly, and improved with excellent buildings. Of the five children born unto the parents, our subject is now the only one surviving. The father was a member of the church, a devout Christian man, and dying in October, 1892, proceeded his wife but a few months to the better land., the mother passing away on July 17, 1993. Politically a Republican, the father was a liberal- spirited citizen of broad views and earnest purpose. Five years ago the parents left the farm and moved to Holland, June 29, 1888. Two years later they moved to Zeelamd, where they remained until their death.

Our subject received his education in the common schools of his home district and remained with his parents until he had attained manhood. He was married at the age of twenty-one, upon his birthday, to Miss Alice, daughter of Johanas and Gertie ( Boes) Hellenthal. The excellent wife of our subject was born in Filmore Township, Ottawa County, in 1854. Her parents, natives of the Netherlands, emigrated to the United States in 1848.Five intelligent children have brightened the pleasant home of Mr. and Mrs. Naber. One little one, Cora, died November 9, 1888, at the age of two years and four months. The surviving daughters and son are in order of birth: Annan Johanas, Gertie and Cora.

Mr. Naber remained with his father, aiding in the management and work on the farm until 1888, when he entered into full possession of the homestead, containing eighty-five acres, all improved. Mr. and Mrs. Naber are valued members of the Reformed Church, are active in religious work, and are ever ready to do their part in the benevolent enterprises of their home locality. Politically a Republican, our subject is interested in local advancement, and is numbered among the leading men and substantial citizens of Holland Township.