John Law Acheson was born in Monroe Township, Muskingum County, Ohio.

1830 United States Federal Census: Monroe Township, Muskingum County, Ohio.
1840 United States Census (1 June 1840: Monroe Township, Muskingum County, Ohio.

John Achison (23 Ohio) appears in the 1850 United States Federal Census (10 Oct 1850) for Knox Township, Guernsey County (dwelling 1385, family 1398) along with his parents, David R. (53 Pennsylvania, farmer with land valued at $1500) & Elizabeth (43 Pennsylvania) Achison and siblings, James R. Achison (21 Ohio), Eliza Achison (18 Ohio), Wm. Achison (16 Ohio), Easter J. Achison (14 Ohio), D. Anderson Achison (10 Ohio), Robert J. Achison (7 Ohio) and Saml. W. Achison (2 Ohio).

John married Elizabeth McCulley on 30 April 1853 in Guernsey County, Ohio. She died in 1855. He moved to Iowa that same year. On 11 March 1857 he married Catherine Heasty (24) in Jackson County, Iowa. He no doubt knew her before in Ohio as they both were from Muskingum County.

John Atchison (30 Ohio) is found in the 1860 United States Federal Census (05 July 1860) for Otter Creek Township (Wagoners Post Office), Jackson County, Iowa (page 108-109, dwelling 781) along with his wife Catherine Atchison (28 Ohio) and sons, Robert H. Atchison (2 Iowa) and James Atchison (1 Iowa). John is a farmer with a personal estate of $450.

According to the Schedule 4 - Productions of Agriculture (16 July 1860, pages 21-22, line 11) for Otter Creek, Jackson County, Iowa, John Atcheson was a tenant farmer with farm implements valued at $20. He had 2 horses, 3 milch cows and 20 swine; all his livestock was valued at $250. He had harvested 400 bushels of spring wheat, 1000 bushels of Indian corn and 600 bushels of oats. They made 100 lbs. of butter and cut 4 tons of hay. The value of animals slaughtered was put at $75.

They moved to Jones County, Iowa in 1866. His wife, Catherine died there on 14 May 1870.

Widower, John L. Atcheson (43 Ohio) is counted in the 1870 United States Federal Census (23 June 1870) for Wayne Township (Langworthy Post Office), Jones County, Iowa (page 20, dwelling 130, family 136) along with his three sons: Robert H. Atcheson (12 Iowa, works on farm), James M. Atcheson (11 Iowa) and John L. Atcheson (9 Iowa). He was a farmer with real estate valued at $3000 and personal property of $700.

According to the Schedule 3 - Productions of Agriculture (24 June 1870, pages 3-4, line 23) for Wayne Township (Langwothy Post Office), Wayne County, Iowa, J. L. Acheson owned 80 acres of improved land and 13 acres of woodland, the total value of the farm was $2800. He had farm implements valued at $200 and had paid out $150 in wages. He had 2 horses, 4 milch cows and 6 other cattle; all his livestock was valued at $500. He had harvested 350 bushels of spring wheat, 275 bushels of Indian corn and 550 bushels of oats. They harvested 50 bushels of Irish potatoes, had $10 worth of orchard products, made 300 lbs. of butter and cut 8 tons of hay. The value of animals slaughtered was put at $100 and the estimated value of all farm products was $650.

He married at 3rd time to Mary Jane Brush 31 October 1872 in Jones County, Iowa.

WAYNE TOWNSHIP - J. L. ACHESON, farmer, Sec. 16; P.O. Langworthy; born in Ohio in 1828; in March, 1855, he came to the State of Iowa; came to Jones Co. in 1866; owns 160 acres of land in Wayne, and 35 acres in Richland (timber-land). Has been Collector of his town. Mr. Acheson has been married three times; the maiden name of his first wife was Elizabeth McCullough, a native of Ohio, and died two years after their marriage; the maiden name of his second wife was Catharine Heasty, also a native of Ohio; they were married in 1857; she died in 1869; the present wife's name was Mary Jane Brush; she, too, was from Ohio; they were married in 1871; had, by his second wife, seven children, three of whom are now living: R. H., James M. and J. L. Mr. and Mrs. Acheson are members of the U.P. Church; he is a Republican. Source: History of Jones County, Iowa, Western Historical Company, Chicago, 1879, Wayne Township Biographical Sketches, page 620.

He was one of the elders of the United Presbyterian Church near Scotch Grove along with brother-in-laws, Robert Heasty and George L. Himebaugh in 1879. From the shape of its spire it was locally known as “the four-horned church”.

John L. Acheson (52 Ohio) is counted in the 1880 United States Federal Census (04 June 1880) for Wayne Township, Jones County, Iowa (page 5, dwelling 34, family 34) with his third wife, Mary Jane Acheson (45 Ohio) and son, John L. Acheson (19 Iowa, working on farm). A M. E. Livingston (23 Iowa, servant) is living with them. John was a farmer.

According to the Schedule 2 - Productions of Agriculture (08 June 1880, page 5, line 9) for Wayne Township, Wayne County, Iowa, John L. Acheson owned 135 acres of improved land and 25 acres of meadows & pasture land, the total value of the farm was $7200. He had farm implements valued at $215. The total value of his livestock was $1475 and he had paid out $100 for building repairs. He had paid out $170 in wages for farm labor. The estimated value of all farm production was $2083. He had 10 acres in mown grasslands, 55 acres not mown and had cut 20 tons of hay. He had 9 horses, 22 milch cows, 14 other cattle, dropped 3 calves, sold 23 living, slaughter 2 cows and 1 died. He collected 10,600 gallons of milk and made 580 lbs of butter. He had 80 swine, 25 barnyard poultry and they collected 100 dozen eggs. John planted 75 acres of Indian corn and harvested 3300 bushels; planted 60 acres of oats and harvested 1999 bushels. They planted 1/8 acre of Irish potatoes and harvested 15 bushels; had 40 apple trees planted over 3 acres, harvested 40 bushels of apples and had $20 worth of orchard products. They collected 20 lbs. of honey, cut 10 cords of wood and had $30 worth of forest products.

J. L. Atchinson (67 Ohio) & M. J. Atchinson (62 Pennsylvania) have moved to Newton City, Harvey County, Kansas (page 26, dwelling 174) by the 1895 Kansas State Census (01 March 1895). John was a farmer.

John Acheson (73, April 1827 Ohio) & Mary J. Acheson (68, Jan 1832 Pennsylvania) are enumerated in the 1900 United States Federal Census (02 June 1900) for Newton City, Harvey County, Kansas (sheet 1A, dwelling 2, family 2). They have been married 28 years and have no children. A James Clyde (56, Mar 1842 Pennsylvania) is living with them. John was a farmer.
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Death of J. L. Acheson
Heart Disease Ended His Life at 2 0'clock Yesterday afternoon

“The death at two o’clock yesterday afternoon of John L. Acheson removes from the streets of Newton a familiar figure and from the community a worthy and upright citizen. During the eighteen years of his residence in this city, the deceased had become widely known throughout the county and by his strict probity of character had secured the confidence and esteem of all who came in contact with him.

John L. Acheson was born in Muskingum County, Ohio, April 28, 1827. His early life was spent in the county he was born and he grew to manhood before leaving this parental home. As a boy and a youth his life was marked by the energy and determination with which he endeavored to secure an education. He was essentially what is known in this day and age as a "self-made" man. Although unable to enjoy the advantages of even a common school education, he was a great reader and a zealous student and at night, after the labors of the day had been laid aside by aside, by the light of the pine-knots in the fire-place of his father 's house, he devoted hours to the perusal of worthy books and to the study of their contents. In this way, like many of the rugged characters who have become famous in the annals of our nation, he acquired an education which, though rudimentary, was lasting. At twenty years of age he became a schoolteacher and for sixteen terms he followed this avocation devotedly and with success. Between terms he worked in his father's flour mill. In 1852 he was married to Miss Elizabeth McCollough who fell sick and died less than two years after their marriage. Moving to Jackson County, Iowa, in 1857, he was married in 1858 to Miss Katherine Hasty of that locality. To this union seven children were born, six boys and one girl, of whom three boys and the daughter died in infancy. The other three are living. Mr. Acheson moved to Jones County, Iowa, in 1868 where his second wife died in 1870. He was married October 31st, 1872 , to Mary Jane Bush who survives him. In 1884 he moved to Newton and engaged in business here as a real estate agent.

Since coming to Newton, Mr. Acheson has been prominently identified with the educational and moral interests of the city. He was a member of the senate of Cooper Memorial College at Sterling and was for several years treasurer of that institution. He has served a number of terms on the school board and was one of its most highly esteemed members. Mr. Acheson joined the United Presbyterian Church when eighteen years of age and has been a ruling elder of that denomination since 1868. The local church has found in him one of its most ardent supporters and consecrated workers. For its interests he has labored devotedly and unceasingly, year in and year out. His earnest sincere Christian life was a blessing to the church and a power for good in the community. One of the most marked traits of his character was his unaffected interest in the welfare of his friends and acquaintance. Many a heart has been cheered and encouraged by a sympathizing word or a kind smile from him. During the two years he has been in poor health and especially in the last few months while he has been a great sufferer from heart disease, his sublime faith has shone resplendent and has proved a benediction to those that have been near him. Never a murmur or a word of complaint has passed his lips. On the contrary, he has comforted and cheered those about him. He was indeed a good man and the community can ill afford lose him.

The deceased is survived by his wife and three sons. All of the latter are graduates of Monmouth College, of Monmouoth, Ill. and of the Xenia Theological Seminary and are in the ministry of the United Presbyterian church. Robert H. is located at West Hoboken, New Jersey; James M. at Boyden, Iowa; and John L. at Pine Bush, N.J.

The funeral services will be held tomorrow at half past ten o'clock in the United Presbyterian Church. Burial will be in the Walton Cemetery". Source: The Evening Kansan-Republican (Newton, Kansas), Thursday, 06 February 1902, page 1; also in the The Boyden Reporter (Boyden, Iowa), Friday, 14 Feb 1902, page 2.