Edgar A. Aber

Edgar Aber, born in Seneca, N. Y., 1852, was of Scotch-Irish and French descent. His wife, Susan Katherine Haberle, was of German stock, born in German town, Pennsylvania, 1856. They were married in Alpena, Michigan, 1874, where he was manufacturing furniture.

An epidemic broke out and the men made coffins in an up-stairs shop. When completed, the coffins were run down a chute so the men would not come in contact with the infected people. Because of this, they moved in 1879 to Troup, Texas. Later, in 1888, they moved to Topeka, Kansas, and finally in 1890, to Jacksonville, where they went into the box-factory business. A business envelope post marked 1900 reads: "Return in 10 days to ED. ABER, Manufacturer, Fruit Boxes and Baskets, Brick, Moulding, Turned Work, Jacksonville, Texas." It was while living in Troup, running a saw mill, that he visited the site where someone had tried and failed at making crates and baskets. He picked up a piece of the curled veneer and while standing there holding it in his hand figured out how to make a drying rack to prevent the curling of the veneer, making possible a successful box factory.

The old home place, of rugged brick construction, stands beside the Haberle homestead, South Bolton St., the two having been built simultaneously. Mr. Aber and associates erected the old J. B. C. building which was razed in 1968, and the A. C. I. building (fore­runner of L. M. C.) which once stood at the corner of South Bonner and Sunset Avenue.

In 1904, Mr. Aber went to St. Joseph, Michigan, to buy machinery, loved the place, returned and moved his entire family to the city, selling his business interest here to Fred Haberle. Older children and families later returned to Jacksonville.

Mr. and Mrs. Aber had nine children. They are in this group picture taken in the old home here [see group photo below]: top row, left to right: Charles, whose widow and son live in Marshall, Texas; Nellie (Mrs. Henry Willis), was 89 years old, April, '71, now lives with a daughter at 2529 Southwood Drive, Dallas, Texas. She recently published a book of poetry written in her younger days; Fred Warren, who married Lillie Willis. They had two daughters: Inez (Mrs. Ralph Irvine), 1208 Lamar St., Palestine, Texas. They have a son, Ralph, Junior. Estelle (Mrs. Grady Elliott), 500 Georgia Avenue, Jacksonville. Fred was city bandmaster, owned and played several instruments, was a carpenter, worked as a machinist at the factory, invented the machine for putting wire handles on baskets and died at 32. His widow, later Mrs. G. R. Nunnally, now lives at 909 Devereux St., aged 89, Nov. 8, 1971. When neighbors complained of the factory whistle being too loud, Fred reciprocated by making a weird sounding (wildcat) whistle, which later served for many years as city fire whistle; Annie (Mrs. Harold Morse), remained in Michigan and had several children; Frank married Daisy Willis. They produced six sons and one daughter: Edwin, Jack and Dick, all deceased; Louise (Mrs. M. D. Sneed) Corinth Road, Jacksonville; John, in Missouri, plans to return to Jacksonville soon; and Ned and Bert in Tyler. Frank played trombone in the band. The mother of the three Willis children was Malissa Jane Love, sister of Wesley Love and Mrs. Fred Haberle.

Front row, seated [see group photo below]; left to right: Maude (Mrs. John Grimm) remained in Michigan, had several children, and died in 1970. Lourine, who never married, died young, but made quite a name for herself in the advertising field in Chicago. She published a book of poetry; Mrs. Aber passed away in Michigan in 1947; Edna still lives in the old home, 614 State Street, St. Joseph, Michigan, with husband, Barney Denies. They have no children; Mr. Aber, who died in the late 20s; and Guy, whose widow lives in Michigan.

Ed. Aber home on South Bolton Street is still standing and in use as a residence today.

The Ed Aber family in a formal pose.
Clockwise from top-left: Charles, Nellie, Fred, Annie, Frank, Guy, Mr. Aber, Edna, Mrs. Aber, Lourine, Maude

Fred Warren (Freddie) Aber as a young man. He was the father of Mrs. Estelle Elliott Aber of Jacksonville.