Early Memories of Saugatuck, Michigan : 1830-1930
Author: Heath, May Francis
Publisher: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company; Grand Rapids, Mich: 1930

JAMES A. ALIBER

James A. Aliber was born in Genesee County, New York, May 10, 1853, when but a child he came with his parents to Newark, Michigan, where he lived for 67 years. As a young man he found employment in the merchantile business of Burns and Whitney (this store was a present site of Maplewood), and afterward bought out the firm and moving the goods to the store now known as the Cozy Coffee Cup, where he continued successfully 37 years. His was a most upright life, honest himself, he believed others the same, and many a poor family did he carry through a hard winter or time of misfortune, trusting to their honor to pay him when times were better.

When a very young man he united with the Congregational church where through all the years he was an honorable and active worker. He held many positions of trust both in the township and village and in everything he did, held the confidence of the people for they never doubted his integrity.

On June 7, 1893, he was married to Miss Katherine Lang of Cleveland, Ohio, (she was a cousin of Johanna Burns) and they became the parents of one son, John A., who is an instructor in. the schools of Detroit.

Mrs. Aliber died in 1918 and Mr. Aliber in 1920, when he was on his way to Florida, was taken suddenly with pneumonia while at Forsyth, Ga., and his son reached his bedside twenty-four hours before his demise.