HENRY ACKERMAN
The first German settlers of Noble township were Joseph Weirich, Henry Ackerman and Henry Schwarzenbach, with their families. They came from Illinois in the fall of 1869, journeying overland, their household goods packed in their wagons.
Henry Ackerman paid $6 per acre for 160 acres in section 27, in the fall of 1869 and removed to the place from Atlantic, January 1, 1870.
Henry Ackerman was born July 20, 1839 in Germany. He received his education in his native country, and when sixteen years old came to America, borrowed from his brother to pay his passage. he located in LaSalle county, Illinois, where he engaged in farming. The first year he earned eighty-six dollars, with which he paid the sum borrowed from his brother. The second year he earned one hundred dollars. He enlisted in August, 1862, in company F, of the One Hundred and Fourth Illinois Infantry, and served until the close of the war. He was discharged with the regiment, at Chicago, in June, 1865. He participated in many important battles, and was severely wounded at Huntsville, Alabama, in consequence of which he was disabled for eleven months. He then joined the regiment at Chattanooga, and started with Sherman's army for the sea. He was soon after taken sick and sent to the hospital for a short time. he joined his command at Kenesaw Mountain, and proceeded with Sherman's army to the sea and through the Carolinas to Washington, taking part in the battles of that memorable campaign. He was present at the grand review at Washington. After his discharge he resumed farming in LaSalle county, where he purchased eighty acres of land located in Otter creek township. In 1869 he sold his land there, and came to Cass county, Iowa, in November that year. He stopped in Atlantic until January 1, 1870, then moved to the place where he now lives. He purchased at that time, one hundred and sixty acres of wild land in section 27, Noble township, for which he paid six dollars per acre. He has built a good frame house, and planted a grove and fruit orchard. In 1883 he built a barn 62x20 feet, having a stone basement. He has added to his original purchase and now owns four hundred and forty acres, all improved land. He is largely engaged in stock raising. He was married in 1862, to Candace McKernan, who was born in LaSalle county, Illinois. They have eight children: Elmer H., Ellsworth P., Amanda M., James F., Samuel L., Charles, Maud and William B.
Transcribed by Gloria Goltiani from "History of Cass County, Iowa. Together With Sketches of its Towns, Villages and Townships, Educational, Civil, Military and Political History: Portraits of Prominent Persons, and Biographies of Old Settlers and Representative Citizens." Springfield, Ill.: Continental Historical Company, 1884, pp. 664, 665-666.
William Ackerman came to the township in 1870, and bought land on section 9.
Transcribed by Gloria Goltiani from "History of Cass County, Iowa. Together With Sketches of its Towns, Villages and Townships, Educational, Civil, Military and Political History: Portraits of Prominent Persons, and Biographies of Old Settlers and Representative Citizens." Springfield, Ill.: Continental Historical Company, 1884, pp. 670.
