H Ray Akers

AKERS

Posted By: County Coordinator (email)
Date: 4/15/2010 at 13:11:31

H Ray Akers is one of the younger of shrewd and able business men of Ogden, Iowa where he represents the W F Priebe Company, who are engaged in the poultry, butter, egg and cream business, the firm maintaining headquarteres in Chicago. Mr Akers is the Ogden manager and such is widely and favorably known in business and agricultrual cirlcles. He is a native of Ogden, born August 1, 1883, and as son of E E and Emma (Enfield) Akers. The father was born in Fulton county, Pennsylvania, April 11, 1858, and was a son of Charles and Margaret (Hill) Akers, also natives of the Keystone state. Charles Akers followed agricultural pursuits in Pennsylvania and upon coming to Boone county, Iowa in 1868 bought land which he cultivated throughout the remainder of his life. His wife had passed away before he left their native state.
Their son E E Akers was but ten years of age when his parents removed to Boone county and was therefore principally educated in Iowa. Upon leaving school he turned his attention to the painting and paper-hanging trade, which he followed during practically all of his life, with the exception of two years in which he was engaged in farming in Hancock county, where he owned property. Mr Akers died November 27, 1905, when but forty-seven years of age, his demise causing sincere sorrow to his many friends. On Apirl 11, 1882, he was married to Miss Emma Enfield, a daughter of Samuel and Harriett (Vanarsdale) Enfield, who were born in Indiana and came to Boone county, Iowa in 1861. There Mr Enfield acuqired title to land which he operated until his death. His wife has also passed away. Mr and Mrs E E Akers had seven children: H Ray, Mabel deceased, Ethel who married Frank Taggart, of Spokane, Wahsington, and Bessie, Edith, Carl and Merle all at home. The father gave his political allegiance to the republican party and in his religious faith was a Methodist. He has his hearty support to public enterprises and always took an interest in the upbuilding of his community.
H Ray Akers was reared in the parental roof and in the acquirement of his education attended the public schools, graduating form Ogden high school with the class of 1902. He then learned the trade of a painter and paper-handger with his father and successsfully contined in that line of business until 1912, when he accepted the postion of manager for the W F Priebe Company of Chicago. This firm is extensively engaged in the poultry, butter, egg and cream business and Mr Akers occupies an important postition in business circles of Ogden, where he has entire charage of the affairs of his firm. Their busienss is enterly wholesale.
On April 23, 1906 Mr Akes was united in marriage to Miss Esther Danielson a daughter of Charles and Hulda Danileson, who were natives of Sweden and upon coming to America located in Boone county, Iowa. In an early day her father was engaged in farming in Cass township operating land until his recent retirement from active labor, when he removed ot Madrid. Mr And Mrs Akers have two children: Maxine, aged six and Kenneth aged four.
Mr Akers gives his political support to the same party as did his father, being a stanch republican. However, he is not an office seeker but gives his undivided attention to the business affairs, although he takes a lively interest in public enterprises and is ever ready to materially support measure which will prove of benefit to his community. By his business acitivites he has stimulated trade and he has made himself a valuable factor in commerical life of Ogden. His religious adherence is given to the Methodist church and he is interested in its work and in its various branches of activity. Yet a young man, Mr Akers has already made for himself a substantial position in life and continued success may be safely prophesied for him.

1914 Boone County History Book