Obituaries
JESSE J. ALEY DEAD
Owen County Democrat 15 May 1919
Submitted by Kathy Bargerhuff
Jesse J. Aley, one of the oldest and well known residents of Jefferson township passed away at Coal City Thursday. The funeral was held Saturday at Coal City. Mr. Aley had many friends and was a highly respected citizen.
R.J. ALEY DEAD
"Native Owen Countian, High in Educational Circles, Victim of Pneumonia"
Owen County Democrat 21 November 1935
Submitted by Kathy Bargerhuff
Dr. Robert Judson Aley, 72 years old, a native of Owen County and a national figure in educational work, died at his home in New York Sunday night. He had been ill a year but became seriously ill in October and pneumonia developed. He was born in Coal City, May 11, 1863 and was a son of Jesse J. and Pauline Aley. Following his schooling in Owen County and his graduation from Valparaiso University in 1882 with A.B. degree, he taught school for several years. He also attended I.U. and later received his master's degree from Standford University in 1895 and a Ph. D. degree from the University of Pennsylvania in 1917. On August 28, 1884, he was married to Miss Nellie Archer of Spencer who died two years ago. Beginning his teaching at the age of 14, he devoted his life to educational work. He taught in Owen County and served as principal of Spencer High School at one time. He was later connected with Indiana University , Vincennes University and was assistant professor of mathematics at Leland Standford University. He was finally chosen as State Superintendent of Public Instruction in Indiana from which position he resigned in 1910 to become president of the University of Maine, remaining there until he was chosen as president of Butler University. Dr. Aley recieved many honors in educational circles and wrote several books largely dealing with mathematics. He is survived by the son, Max Aley, who is editor-in-chief of Lomans, Green & Co., New York book publishers, and two grandsons, Maxwell Parker Aley and Robert Jonathan Aley. Funeral services were held in New York Tuesday and the body was cremated. Dr. Aley had many friends and relatives in Owen County who will be grieved at his death.