JOHN P. NABER John P. Naber, a prominent agriculturist, and a courageous veteran of the late Civil War, has for years been School Moderator of the district of his home locality, section 34, Holland Township, Ottawa County, Mich. Born in the Netherlands March 19, 1841, our subject was the son of Peter and Catherine Nabor. The father, whose birthday was April 15, 1810, was likewise born in the Netherlands, but now makes his home in Holland Township, section 35. The paternal grandparents, honest, hard-working people were John and Cora (Vanderskher) Naber. The parents of our subject, accompanied by their family and a brother of the father, set sail for the United States March 5, 1848, and were forty-two days making the voyage. Landing in New York City they proceeded by canal boat to Buffalo. From the latter city they journeyed to Chicago by boat, and thence came to Holland, Mich., where the father’s $200 were soon exhausted, as he purchased forty-five acres of land at $3 per acre, and was obliged to at once lay a stock of groceries and provisions for the use of his family, who lived with their neighbors until their little house was built. The children of the parents were Cora, John P., Jakobina, Peter and Mary. The father, a devout member of the Reformed Church, was for ten years a Deacon at Holland and for ten years held the same sacred office in the Ebenezer Church. Politically, he is a Republican and a thoroughly loyal citizen. Only seven years of age when he came to America, our subject received but little schooling in the Old Country, and never had much opportunity to gain an education. He worked on his father’s farm until twenty-one years of age, then enlisted in 1862 in Company I, Twenty-fifth Michigan Infantry, and engaged in the army of the Cumberland, fought at Tibb’s Bend and actively participated in every battle fought under Sherman until they reached Atlanta. Later he took part in the engagement at Nashville, and although in the midst of seventeen fierce encounters was never wounded nor taken prisoner, neither was he absent from his regiment one day. Receiving his honorable discharge in North Carolina, Mr. Naber was mustered out of Government service in Jackson, Mich. Returning home, he again resumed the clearing of the land, and now owns one hundred and twenty-five valuable acres, one of the most finely cultivated farms and substantially improved homesteads in the locality. Our subject is a thoroughly practical farmer, trained from his early childhood to the tilling of the soil; he also understands the culture of vegetables and fruit, and has made a success of agricultural pursuits, and upon his extensive homestead has some excellent stock. John P. Naber and Miss Henrietta Dehaan were united in marriage June 14, 1866. Mrs. Naber is the daughter of John and Chacolene Dehaan, and was born in the Netherlands, as were also her parents, who emigrated to the United States when the estimable wife was but four years of age. Five children have blessed the union of Mr. and Mrs. Naber; Catherine, Edward, Peter, Chacolena and John. Mr. and Mrs. Naber are both devout members of the Reformed Church, of which our subject has been a Deacon for a number of years. Politically a Republican and an earnest advocate of the party, he has given great satisfaction in his position as School Moderator, and, intimately associated with the progressive interests of the township, is regarded high respect, and in his wide acquaintance commands the sincere confidence due his sterling integrity and business ability.

Portrait & Biographical Record of Muskegon & Ottawa Counties, Michigan 1893, Chicago: Biographical Publishing Company

Transcriber: Charles Armstrong
Created: 6 May 2003
URL: Biographies