His father Austin Aten was a Methodist circuit rider, and moved the family to Texas in 1876, settling near Round Rock.
In March 1883, Aten joined the Texas Rangers, becoming a member of "Company D" serving under Captain L. P. Seiker.
Aten was assigned to the counties bordering the Rio Grande, and due to the rough nature of this area, he became involved in numerous dangerous encounters.
Aten was also involved in the later Jaybird-Woodpecker War, after which he was elected to the position of Fort Bend County, Texas Sheriff.
Aten died of pneumonia at his daughter's home in Burlingame, California, and was buried in the Evergreen Cemetery in El Centro.