Abel Aiken
March 16, 1870 - January 1940
Abel Aiken of 311 west Main street, a resident of this county most of his life, passed away suddenly at his home this morning at the age of 69 years, 10 months and 23 days. He suffered a heart attack while shoveling snow and died shortly afterward, at about 9:30 o'clock.
The deceased was born in the Netherlands March 6, 1870, the son of Egbert and Katie Aiken, and he came to this country with his parents when two years of age. The family settled in Fulton township, where he grew to manhood.
He was married to Jennie Shipma on November 16, 1892, and to this union nine children were born, eight of whom survive. The family resided in North Dakota for eight years, moving there more than 25 years ago and outside their residence there they spent most of their life farming in this community. They have resided on west Main street for several years.
Mr. Aiken was a member of the Ebenezer Reformed church and was a faithful attendant there. He was respected by all who knew him, and sympathy is extended to the bereaved family in the sudden loss of a beloved husband and father, by their many friends and acquaintances of the community. At one time he was a member of the I. O. O. F. lodge of this city.
He is survived by his widow, eight children, Egbert Aiken of California, Louis Aiken of Detroit, Mich., Clarence and Richard Aiken, Mrs. Howard (Anna) Daniels, Mrs. Eugene (Irene) Wagencht, Mrs. Ray (Eva) Prestley, all of Morrison, Mrs. Bert (Kate) Tiesman of Clinton, Iowa; 21 grandchildren, one great grandchild; one sister, Johanna of Detroit, Mich.; one half-sister, Mrs. Dick Bush of Morrison. His parents and one daughter, Mrs. Henry (Florence) Dykema, preceded him in death, the daughter passing away in 1930.
Funeral arrangements have not been made, pending word from the son living in California. Services will be held at the home, followed by services at the Ebenezer Reformed church, with Rev. Justin Hoffman officiating. Burial will be in Grove Hill cemetery.
picture: Katie & Egbert Aiken,
parents of Abel Aiken