Abram N. Ackerman.— The family of Ackerman dates back to the early settlement of Bergen County, and the name is frequently found in connection with its history. John, grandfather of Abram N., was a farmer, and resided at Yawpaugh, in Bergen County. His children were Lawrence, Nicholas, and James, all of whom settled in the vicinity of their birth.

Nicholas was father of our subject, and was a farmer and master-mason by trade; resided in Franklin township until 1863, when he removed to Paterson, where he lived in retirement until his death in 1869. His wife, Polly Snyder, died in 1877. Their children were John N., for many years a justice of the peace at Hackensack, and who carries on the steam sawing-and planing-mill at that place; Abram N. and a twin-brother, George, who died at the age of nineteen years, of smallpox, while engaged in New York in a dry-goods house.

Abram N. was born in Franklin township, Aug. 27, 1830. His early education was obtained at the district school in his native place. At the age of fifteen he began learning the carpenter’s trade with Col. Andrew Derrom, of Paterson, with whom he served six years. After a few years as journeyman in New York and for Mr. Derrom, he established business for himself on Broadway, near Bridge Street, Paterson, as a contractor and builder. He then associated with him in business John Berdan, under the firm-name of Berdan & Ackerman, who withdrew after two years. He then associated with him in business partnership John J. Snyder, under the firm-name of Ackerman & Snyder, which continued for eight years. While residing in Paterson he was deacon in Rev. J.H. Duryea’s church, and a member of the board of education.

In the fall of 1868, Mr. Ackerman removed to Passaic and formed a partnership with Adrian Hopper, under the firm-name of Ackerman & Hopper, and established the steam sawing- and planing-mill (to which they subsequently added a fine brick addition), which they carried on until June, 1881, when be purchased Mr. Hopper’s interest in the concern, and in 1882 controls the entire business.

He gives employment to sixteen men, and consumes some two million feet of lumber a year, making his purchases of lumber in Albany and Troy, and shipping by water to Passaic, where he has a dock-front of some three hundred feet, all in connection with his factory. He built his present substantial residence near his mill in 1869.

Mr. Ackerman has devoted himself closely to business pursuits, and by his industry and judicious management secured a fair competency.

He was formerly a deacon in the North Reformed Church at Passaic, and is a liberal supporter of church and school interests.

He was a member of the City Council of Passaic in 1875, and in 1879 was appointed street superintendent.

He married, July 30, 1848, the daughter of Henry and Sarah Rutan, originally of Sussex County. Their children are Mary, wife of E.L. Hewson, a merchant in Paterson; George H. and Elmer E., in business with their father; and one son, Charlie, died when two years old.

He has by his own exertions and careful study so far mastered the knowledge of wood-working machinery that he has built nearly half of the machines now running in his factory, among which is one of the best kindling-wood saw and splitting-machines in operation, also a very fine and ingenious set of packing-box machines, upon which two sawyers have cut as many as two hundred and twenty-five large cases in ten hours, thereby consuming a very large amount of lumber in the busy season.