Biographical Sketch of Aaron Prince Aten

Born: Near Eton, Ohio, June 24, 1839.
Died: Abilene, Kansas, May 2, 1932.

AARON PRINCE ATEN, of Austin, one of the most scholarly and literary preachers in the State, was born in Ohio, June 24th, 1839. He removed to Illinois in 1849. Entered Abingdon college, Ill., in 1850, and graduated in the full course in the class of 1860, with first honors of his class. Became a Christian in 1855. Was ordained to the work of the ministry, July 1, 1860, and for two or three years preached for his home church at Rochester, Ill., in connection with that at Lafayette. Was principal of Rochester Seminary three years. Spent the year 1864 as an evangelist under the direction of the State Missionary Society of Illinois. Removed to Monmouth in the fall of 1864 to preach for the churcn at that place. In the autumn of 1866, became principal of the Abingdon graded schools, and in 1867 removed to Missouri, and preached two years for the church at Hannibal. While occupying that position, was elected to the chair of Belles Lettres in Abingdon college, Ill., where he remained six years, retiring in 1874 to become the regular preacher of the Abingdon congregation, one of the largest in the State.

He came to Texas in November, 1876, settling at Austin, at which place he filled the pulpit several months, and afterwards taught in the graded schools of the city. In 1879, he became president of Lampasas college, which position he occupied till recently, preaching as opportunity afforded. He was married to Miss Nannie Kinkade, daughter of Eld. Geo. H. Kinkade, now of San Jose, Cal., in December, 1860, by whom he has one son, born in 1864. His wife died Apr. 26, 1868. Was married a second time, June 24, 1872, to Miss Emma Crawford, a graduate of Abingdon college, who still lives, and is the mother of a bright little girl. Bro. Aten has written extensively for the religious press, both in prose and poetry, having been co-editor of the Gospel Echo, while controlled by Bro. E. L. Craig, and of the Evangelist, when published by Bro. G. T. Carpenter, now Chancellor of Drake University. Since coming to Texas, he was for awhile editor-at-large of the Christian Preacher, and has been for two or three years editor of the Texas Department of the >Apostolic Guide, which circulates extensively in Texas and other Southern States.