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W. H. Acers,
now living retired in Manchester, Iowa, is a valued addition to the
citizens of the town, as he is a man of known integrity and of
commendable public spirit. He was born in Michigan on the 1st of
December, 1848, a son of Henry and Margaret (Patterson) Acers, both
natives of the state of New York, where they were married. They
removed to Michigan about 1848 and resided there until 1850, when
they came to this county, driving through with ox teams. They
settled upon a farm which is now within the city limits of
Manchester. The father entered about eight hundred acres of land and
was a well to do and successful agriculturist. The mother died in
this county, but he passed away in Louisiana while spending the
winter there. The three children born to their union are as follows:
Louisa J., the wife of W. O. Somes of Manchester; W. H., of this
review; and G. S., also of Manchester.
W. H. Acers remained at home and was
employed as were most farm boys of the middle west at that time. The
greater part of the year was given to farm work but during the
winter months he attended the district schools and thus secured a
serviceable education. During the Civil war he enlisted in Company
B, Sixth Iowa Cavalry, and served in that command for fifteen
months, after which he was mustered out and discharged at Davenport,
Iowa. His regiment was chiefly engaged in fighting the Indians upon
the frontier. After leaving the army he returned to Delaware county
and located upon a farm in Delaware township, and for a number of
years gave his close attention to the cultivation and development of
his land. He not only manifested the qualities of industry and
enterprise but also displayed sound judgment in directing his labors
and, as he likewise made a careful study of market conditions, his
agricultural activities yielded him a satisfactory profit. A number
of years ago he retired and has since lived in well deserved ease.
On the 1st of November, 1870,
Mr. Acers was united in marriage to Miss Mary J. Wilcox, also a
native of the Wolverine state and a daughter of Elijah and Helen
Wilcox. The former was born in Canada and the latter in New York
state, but both removed to Michigan in an early day in the history
of that commonwealth. Subsequently they came with their family to
Delaware county. The father passed away in Clayton county, this
state, but the mother is still living and makes her home in
Michigan. Mr. and Mrs. Acers had a daughter, Sadie B., who died when
a child of seven years.
Mr. Acers is a republican in his
political belief and has served upon the city council of Manchester.
He has sold all of his real estate but his residence in Manchester
and one in St. Petersburg, Florida, where he spends the winter
months. Those who have been most closely associated with him value
most highly his friendship, which is an unfailing indication of a
character of genuine strength and incorruptible integrity. |
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