Abraham A. Harner

As printed in 1906

ABRAHAM A. HARNER, whose residence, known as The Maples," in Berrien county dates from February 3, 1853 — ' natal day — his birth having occurred on the farm on which he now lives, on section 28, Oronoko township, is the son of Michael Harner. The father was born in Pennsylvania and became a resident of Berrien county, Michigan, in 1837, when he cast in his lot Avith the early settlers who were subduing the wilderness and extending the frontier. He was closely associated with the early history of the county in its development and upbuilding and as the years passed by he prospered in his business undertakings, becoming the owner of three hundred and ninety-nine acres of land. He was well known in the county and his word was as good as his bond. He enjoyed the respect and trust of his fellowmen from the time of his arrival here up to the day of his death, which occurred when he was eighty-four years of age. He married Miss Sophia Plank, a native of Pennsylvania, and their was one of the largest families of the county, their children being sixteen in number.

Abraham A. Harner is the youngest of this family and upon the old homestead property he spent the days of his boyhood and youth. No event of special importance occurred to vary the routine of farm life for him during that period, his time being divided between the duties of the schoolroom, the pleasures of the playground and the work of the fields. After leaving school he assisted in cultivating his father's land and he has made farming his life work, having now one hundred and eighty-two acres, constituting a well improved property. The place is devoted to the raising of fruit, grain and stock and he gives personal supervision to his business and also takes an active part in the actual work of the fields.

March 23, 1876 Mr. Harner was married to Miss Lottie Van Patten, a daughter of Aaron and Elizabeth (Borst) Van Patten, and a native of Oronoko township, born May I, 1853, where her girlhood days were passed. Mr. Harner took his bride to the old homestead, and their union has been blessed with two children: Edna V., now the wife of Carl S. Pennell, of Berrien Springs; and Elden C, who is engaged in the real estate and insurance business in Benton Harbor.

Mrs. Harner's parents are both deceased. Her father, Aaron Van Patton, was a native of New York, born February 5, 18 17, and died December 25, 1901. By trade he was a blacksmith, but later in life when a resident of Berrien county, Michigan, became a very successful farmer. He was reared, educated and was married in New York, and when he and his family came to Michigan the trip was made in a wagon. There were born seven children to Aaron and Elizabeth (Borst) Van Patten — three sons and four daughters, and only four are living, the eldest being Martha, widow of John Ingleright, and she is a resident of Berrien Springs. She was born in New York;

Mary, wife of Stephen Harner, resident of Oronoko township, and he is a farmer, also in insurance business; Rufus, resident of Oronoko township, farmer, and he wedded Miss Sadie Shearer; Mrs. A. A. Harner is the youngest Hving, She was educated in common schools, and in a religious sense is a devout Christian lady. Her father became owner of two hundred and seventy-six acres of land in Berrien county and was a man in whom the people reposed the utmost confidence. He was a successful man in business, since he accumulated his property all by himself. He traced his lineage to the Mohawk Dutch. He held the office of supervisor, township treasurer, and superintendent of the poor, and fraternally he was a Mason.

Mrs. Elizabeth (Borst) Van Patten was a native of New York and was born in November, 1818, and died December 18, 1882. She was a faithful advocate of the principles of baptism. The children of Mr. and Mrs. A. A. Harner are as follows: The eldest, Edna V., received her education in the high school of Berrien Springs, where she graduated. She is an artist in oil painting and her handiwork adorns the home of her mother and also her own home. She is the wife of Carl S. Pennell and they have two children, Letha H. and Lynn Odell. Elden C. was graduated at the age of sixteen at Berrien Springs and the Ypsilanti Normal at twenty, and held the chair of science at Benton Harbor and at present is one of the school examiners of Berrien county. He wedded Miss Mollie Comstock, of Ypsilanti, and she is also a graduate of the same college. They reside in Benton Harbor, where Elden is engaged in the real estate business. Mr. and Mrs. A. A. Harner have three of the old parchment deeds executed September 10, 1838, by President Martin Van Buren, which now makes seven deeds of the kind found to date in the county. They have one of the old spinning wheels as a relic of ye olden days, which is close to a century old.

Mr. Harner has been identified with the making of the county in which his entire life has been passed, and his co-operation may always be counted upon in matters relating to the general welfare. He votes with the Democracy and has acted as township treasurer. He has also been called upon to settle many states and his business integrity and trustworthiness stand as unquestioned facts in his career. Fraternally he is connected with the Modern Woodmen camp at. Berrien Springs.

As printed in A twentieth century history of Berrien County, Michigan (1906). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.