Akers, Spencer C.

AKERS, COLLINGS, ADER

Posted By: Mary H. Cochrane, Volunteer
Date: 7/6/2019 at 08:31:52

Biographical and Historical Record of Ringgold and Decatur Counties, Iowa, (Lewis Publishing Company (1887)), pp. 526-27:

"SPENCER C. AKERS, residing on section 34, Grand River Township, is one of the old and well-known pioneers of Decatur County, having been identified with the growth and advancement of the county for thirty-five years. He has assisted in the building of roads, bridges, churches and school-houses, and has always taken an active interest in everything pertaining to the advancement of education or religion in the community where he resides, and is numbered among the representative citizens of Decatur County. Mr. Akers was born in Putnam County, Indiana, January 17, 1826, a son of Bedy and Lydia (Collings) Akers, natives of Shelby County, Kentucky, the latter being a descendant of the Collings family, of whom thirty were killed at the Indian war, in the first settlement of Kentucky. They reared a family of nine children -- Emily Jane, William C., Catherine, Spencer C., Elizabeth, Benjamin, Thomas, Bedy and Lydia Ann. In 1839 the parents immigrated with their family to Chariton County, Missouri, and there our subject was reared, from his fourteenth year till 1844. His early life was spent in assisting with the work of the farm, and in attending the log-cabin subscription schools of his neighborhood. In 1844 he returned to Putnam County where he was married December 12, of that year to Miss Elizabeth J. Ader, of Putnam County, a daughter of Solomon and Elizabeth Ader. To them have been born thirteen children, nine are living -- M. W., a Baptist minister, located at Burlingame, Kansas; Armilda, Thomas M., Eveline E., Racine K., Fidelia, Garrett W., Spencer Grant and Benjamin Eurastis. In the fall of 1845 Mr. Akers removed to Mercy County, Missouri, residing there and in Grundy County till 1850. April 17, 1850, he started with an ox team for California, passing through the hardships and privations known only to those who have crossed the plains. On arriving at Salt Lake City he met Brigham Young, and beyond Salt Lake he viewed the grounds of the Mountain Meadow Massacre. On arriving in California he engaged in mining, which he followed for twelve months, returning home by way of the Isthmus of Panama, Cuba, and New Orleans, to Grundy County, Missouri. In September, 1851, he came to Decatur County, Iowa, and located two miles west of Leon in Center Township, where he entered 120 acres of school land, and eighty acres of land from the Government, and there he erected a log cabin and commenced the improvement of his property. He was one of a committee of three to locate the county seat of Decatur County, of the second location by act of Legislature, the other two members being John Jordan and Wilson Worford. In 1864 he left Center Township, and settled on the farm where he has since made his home, which is one of the best farms in Grand River Township. His land is under a high state of cultivation, with a good residence, large and commodious barn, and a fine orchard, and the entire surroundings of the place show the thrift and good management of its owner. In politics Mr. Akers is a Democrat. He was appointed county supervisor to fill a vacancy, and was afterward twice elected to the same office, a position he filled in all about five years, with credit to himself and to the best interests of the county. Mr. Akers is a worthy member of the Masonic fraternity."

Submitted to the Decatur County GenWeb site by Christy Jay: Jaygenie@aol.com)