Ackley, Edward

ACKLEY, WALKER, BAKER, HANKINS

Posted By: Janelle Martin (email)
Date: 5/19/2009 at 18:35:01

History of Hamilton County Iowa, 1912, Vol.II, p.56

EDWARD ACKLEY

One of the most successful general farmers and stock-raisers in Hamilton County is Edward Ackley, who brings to the cultivation of the soil a personal experience in practical methods of agriculture, which has enabled him to develop from a tract of raw prairie land a fertile and productive farm. His land comprises one hundred and sixty acres and is situated on section 10, Liberty township. Mr. Ackley has his property in excellent condition. He was born in Fulton County, Ohio, on May 17, 1854, and is a son of Calvin and Gertrude (Walker) Ackley, the former a native of New York, born May 1, 1815, and the latter of New Jersey. Calvin Ackley went to Fulton County, Ohio, from his native state and was numbered among the pioneers in that section. He cultivated the soil and was successful in agricultural pursuits until his death on February 1, 1906. His wife passed away in Ohio when our subject was four years of age. To their union five children were born: Leman, who resides in Hastings, Nebraska; Dr. Winfield, a practicing physician of Juniata, Nebraska; Mrs. Ella Acker, of Fayette, Ohio; Edward, the subject of this sketch; and Mrs. Josephine Snow, also a resident of Fayette. All the children born to Mr. and Mrs. Ackley were reared and educated in Ohio.

Edward Ackley attended the public schools of his native state and aided his father in the work of the farm from his early boyhood. In this way he obtained a personal experience in the details of agriculture which has been a valuable asset to him in his mature career. He grew to manhood in Fulton County and at the age of twenty-eight moved to Iowa, where he purchased one hundred and sixty acres of raw prairie land in Hamilton county. It was entirely unimproved and Mr. Ackley broke the soil and fenced it into fields. He has pursued a steady policy of gradual expansion and as the years have passed his harvests have grown more abundant. He quickly realized the advantage of a grove and has a large section of his property planted in trees, while his stock-raising interests form an important part of his activities. He has erected his home upon his farm and it is one of the most attractive and comfortable residences in Liberty township, equipped with all the comforts and conveniences of a modern dwelling.

Mr. Ackley was married on October 11, 1882, to Miss Anna Baker, a native of Decatur County, Iowa, where her birth occurred on the 7th of March, 1857. Her parents were Richard T. and Sarah J. (Hankins) Baker, the former a native of Seneca County, Ohio, born on the 14th of November, 1827, and the latter of Indiana. Mrs. Ackley's mother was born on October 7, 1830, and died in Hamilton County on the 22d of August, 1903. Her father was a soldier in the Union army during the Civil war, enlisting in Company A, First Iowa Cavalry. His regiment marched five thousand miles during its term of service and was never in a defeat. Richard T. Baker died immediately after the battle of Pea Ridge, Arkansas, on August 29, 1863. He and his wife had four children: Ferridoon, whose birth occurred on the 26th of May, 1855, and who is now residing at Pomona, California; Anna, the wife of our subject; Mrs. Lucretia Hankins, born March 26, 1859, who is now residing near Hay Springs, Nebraska; and Ruth, whose birth occurred on July 14, 1861, and who died on July 6, 1876. All the children of Mr. and Mrs. Baker were born in Decatur County, Iowa, in which section the family was prominent for many years. Daniel Hankins, the grandfather of Mrs. Ackley, was among the earliest settlers in that section, making his home there while the Mormons were still at Garden Grove. The wife of our subject was educated in the district schools of her native section and attended later the Garden Grove Academy for four years. She remained with her parents until her marriage. To Mr. and Mrs. Ackley have been born eight children: Lucretia J., who resides in Boise, Idaho; Mrs. Nellie D. Beam, of Miles City, Montana; Ella B., twin to Nellie, who is residing in Tilford, South Dakota; Florence Violet, who is teaching in the district schools of Hamilton County; Paul L., who is pursuing his studies in Ellsworth College; Ferridoon; Lillian; and Sybil. The younger children of Mr. and Mrs. Ackley are still at school and in their leisure hours they assist their parents in the work of the farm.

Mr. Ackley is a republican in his political beliefs and for twelve years has done able and effective service as a member of the school board. He has kept abreast of the steady advancement which agriculture has made along systematic and scientific lines. He has added personal experience to his knowledge and his industry and intelligence have been rewarded by a beautiful tract of land, every acre of which is cultivated to its highest point of productiveness.