From The History of Lake County, Illinois 1891:
“JOHN W. ACKER, a farmer on section 35, Wauconda Township, was born in Madison County, N. Y., September 17, 1838, and is the youngest in a family of seven children. Conrad Acker, the father, also a native of the Empire State, was born in 1784, and died in 1864. He was reared in the Mohawk Valley, and throughout his life followed farming. He became a member of the old State Militia, and was a Democrat in politics until the rise of the Republican Party when he joined its ranks. He married Charity Wolaver, who was born in the Mohawk Valley in 1801, and died in 1879. The members of their family are Andrew, who enlisted for the late war and died in front of Richmond; Nicholas, who is married and conducts a hotel in New York; George, also married, is an engineer of Batavia, N. Y.; Harvey is married and is a stone and brickmason of Mason, Ingham County, Mich., where he resides with his family; Dewey is now deceased; Mariette is the wife of George Finckle, a farmer of Wisconsin; and John W. completes the number.
The education of Mr. Acker was obtained in the common schools of New York and he spent his early life as a farmer's lad. At the age of fifteen, accompanied by his parents and a sister, he left the Empire State and took up his residence in Dundee, ILL., in 1854, his parents afterward returning to New York. He began life for himself at the age of eighteen and afterward became an owner of land which he improved and developed, thereby acquiring a comfortable competence. The first event of special importance which occurred in his life was on the 29th of April, 1859, when he led to the marriage altar Miss Frances A. Finckle, who was born in East Springfield, N. Y., December 20, 1838, and is a daughter of William and Catherine (De Long) Finckle. Her father was born in 1811, and by trade was a carpenter but be afterward engaged in merchandising and also followed farming. He was an old-line Whig and at the organization of the Republican Party joined its ranks, supporting its principles until his death in April, 1883. His wife, who was also born in New York, about 1815, was of French extraction. She died at the age of thirty-nine years.
On the 11th of September, 1861, Mr. Acker enlisted in Company I, Fifty-second Illinois Infantry under Capt. J. T. Brown. The company was organized at Geneva, ILL., and after drilling for a time was ordered to Benton Barracks, Mo., where they were equipped for service and remained until the 8th of December, when they were sent to St. Joseph, Mo., to guard the railroad bridges. They encountered some guerrillas and remained in that State until January 16, 1862, when the regiment was ordered back to Cairo, where the forces of Gen. Grant were concentrating, preparatory to the campaigns of 1862. After a week spent at Ft. Holt, they were sent by steamer as a reserve corps to Smithland, Ky., where they remained until February 16, when they proceeded to Ft. Donelson. Arriving the day after the battle Company I was detailed to guard five hundred rebel prisoners whom they took by water to Alton, ILL., and thence to Camp Butler. Returning to Benton Barracks, they there remained until March 13, when the regiment took passage on a steamer for Pittsburg Landing. This was the first principal engagement in which the Fifty-second Infantry took part.
The regiment then advanced on Corinth, Miss., where they were engaged in constant skirmishing until after the evacuation, when the troops pursued the rebels to Boonesville, Miss, Returning they went into camp near Corinth and were engaged in scouting duty until the 14th of August, when they were ordered to Pocahontas, Tenn., to gather up the cotton and then return to camp. The regiment was then ordered east to meet the rebel Gen. Price and marched to Iuka, Miss., where they engaged in skirmish duty. The battle of Corinth occurred on the 3d and 4th of October, 1862, after which the Fifty-second Illinois pursued the enemy to Ruckersville and then returned to camp. On the 9th of December they started on the Tuscumbia expedition and on the 11th, engaged in a skirmish at Little Bear Creek, Ala. During the months of January and February, they marched more than five hundred miles on various expeditions through Tennessee, Alabama and Mississippi. Orders came to hold Gen, Forrest from attacking Gen. Straight and on the 15th of August they marched forward for that purpose. During the summer the Fifty-second was engaged in duty near Memphis, guarding railroads and intercepting the rebels from cutting off the base of supplies of the Federal troops. In the fall they were assigned to Gen. Sherman's array and the Division was left at Pulaski, Tenn., to serve as guard. In December, 1863, Mr. Acker returned home on a thirty days' furlough, having veteranized and then rejoined his regiment. After returning the troops were under the direct command of Col. John S. Wilcox. About the 1st of May they were ordered to Chattanooga and camped on the battle field of Chickamauga. Joining the First Brigade and Second Division of the Sixteenth Army Corps, the regiment was then prepared to take part in the Atlanta campaign, which continued for three months and twenty-six days. The Array of the Tennessee engaged in flanking duty and would one day attack the enemy at a certain place and the next probably make an attack twenty miles away. It was necessary to take forced and heavy marches in the night to do this.
Previous to this time, "lucky Company I," as it was called, had not lost a man but in August there were two killed and eight wounded while on skirmish duty. This company also carried the colors of the regiment. The battles of the Atlanta campaign in which they participated were Lay's Ferry, Dallas, Ga., Kenesaw Mountain, Altoona, Ga., and the battle of Atlanta on the 22d of July, rafter which the battle of Jonesboro, Ga , ended that campaign. Later the regiment spent some time in Rome, Ga., and then joined Gen. Sherman on his famous March to the Sea. At the battle of Atlanta Mr. Acker was struck by a piece of shell which stunned and knocked him down. On the expedition through the Carolinas, he had the honor of commanding his company and also at the Grand Review in Washington, the most brilliant military pageant ever seen in this country, where the scarred veterans with their tattered banners marched along the principal thoroughfares of the Capital City, and wave after wave of bayonet-crested blue passed before the reviewing stand, on which the President was seated. No more faithful soldier was found in the ranks than Mr. Acker, who by his meritorious conduct had been promoted from Corporal to Sergeant, then to First Sergeant and afterwards to First Lieutenant.
When the war was over Mr. Acker returned to Illinois, locating in Chicago, where for fourteen years he engaged in the lumber business. He then returned to Elgin, and for four years was employed in the watch factory but was forced to relinquish his position on account of failing health. He was engaged in the mail delivery for two years, after which he came to this county and has since engaged in general farming in Wauconda Township. He has served his fellow-townsmen as Commissioner of Highways in an efficient manner but has never sought public office. He cast his first Presidential vote for Abraham Lincoln and has since been a stalwart supporter of the Republican Party. With three different Grand Army Posts he has been connected as a member, including the Custer Post of Chicago, and now belongs to Wauconda Post, No. 368, G. A. R., in which he has served as commander. He is one of the most prominent and most highly respected citizens of the community, being held in high regard by all who know him for his sterling worth. His war record is one of which he may well be proud and as an honored veteran, a representative farmer and valued citizen of the community we present him to our readers.”
“JOHN W. ACKER, a farmer on section 35, Wauconda Township, was born in Madison County, N. Y., September 17, 1838, and is the youngest in a family of seven children. Conrad Acker, the father, also a native of the Empire State, was born in 1784, and died in 1864. He was reared in the Mohawk Valley, and throughout his life followed farming. He became a member of the old State Militia, and was a Democrat in politics until the rise of the Republican Party when he joined its ranks. He married Charity Wolaver, who was born in the Mohawk Valley in 1801, and died in 1879. The members of their family are Andrew, who enlisted for the late war and died in front of Richmond; Nicholas, who is married and conducts a hotel in New York; George, also married, is an engineer of Batavia, N. Y.; Harvey is married and is a stone and brickmason of Mason, Ingham County, Mich., where he resides with his family; Dewey is now deceased; Mariette is the wife of George Finckle, a farmer of Wisconsin; and John W. completes the number.
The education of Mr. Acker was obtained in the common schools of New York and he spent his early life as a farmer's lad. At the age of fifteen, accompanied by his parents and a sister, he left the Empire State and took up his residence in Dundee, ILL., in 1854, his parents afterward returning to New York. He began life for himself at the age of eighteen and afterward became an owner of land which he improved and developed, thereby acquiring a comfortable competence. The first event of special importance which occurred in his life was on the 29th of April, 1859, when he led to the marriage altar Miss Frances A. Finckle, who was born in East Springfield, N. Y., December 20, 1838, and is a daughter of William and Catherine (De Long) Finckle. Her father was born in 1811, and by trade was a carpenter but be afterward engaged in merchandising and also followed farming. He was an old-line Whig and at the organization of the Republican Party joined its ranks, supporting its principles until his death in April, 1883. His wife, who was also born in New York, about 1815, was of French extraction. She died at the age of thirty-nine years.
On the 11th of September, 1861, Mr. Acker enlisted in Company I, Fifty-second Illinois Infantry under Capt. J. T. Brown. The company was organized at Geneva, ILL., and after drilling for a time was ordered to Benton Barracks, Mo., where they were equipped for service and remained until the 8th of December, when they were sent to St. Joseph, Mo., to guard the railroad bridges. They encountered some guerrillas and remained in that State until January 16, 1862, when the regiment was ordered back to Cairo, where the forces of Gen. Grant were concentrating, preparatory to the campaigns of 1862. After a week spent at Ft. Holt, they were sent by steamer as a reserve corps to Smithland, Ky., where they remained until February 16, when they proceeded to Ft. Donelson. Arriving the day after the battle Company I was detailed to guard five hundred rebel prisoners whom they took by water to Alton, ILL., and thence to Camp Butler. Returning to Benton Barracks, they there remained until March 13, when the regiment took passage on a steamer for Pittsburg Landing. This was the first principal engagement in which the Fifty-second Infantry took part.
The regiment then advanced on Corinth, Miss., where they were engaged in constant skirmishing until after the evacuation, when the troops pursued the rebels to Boonesville, Miss, Returning they went into camp near Corinth and were engaged in scouting duty until the 14th of August, when they were ordered to Pocahontas, Tenn., to gather up the cotton and then return to camp. The regiment was then ordered east to meet the rebel Gen. Price and marched to Iuka, Miss., where they engaged in skirmish duty. The battle of Corinth occurred on the 3d and 4th of October, 1862, after which the Fifty-second Illinois pursued the enemy to Ruckersville and then returned to camp. On the 9th of December they started on the Tuscumbia expedition and on the 11th, engaged in a skirmish at Little Bear Creek, Ala. During the months of January and February, they marched more than five hundred miles on various expeditions through Tennessee, Alabama and Mississippi. Orders came to hold Gen, Forrest from attacking Gen. Straight and on the 15th of August they marched forward for that purpose. During the summer the Fifty-second was engaged in duty near Memphis, guarding railroads and intercepting the rebels from cutting off the base of supplies of the Federal troops. In the fall they were assigned to Gen. Sherman's array and the Division was left at Pulaski, Tenn., to serve as guard. In December, 1863, Mr. Acker returned home on a thirty days' furlough, having veteranized and then rejoined his regiment. After returning the troops were under the direct command of Col. John S. Wilcox. About the 1st of May they were ordered to Chattanooga and camped on the battle field of Chickamauga. Joining the First Brigade and Second Division of the Sixteenth Army Corps, the regiment was then prepared to take part in the Atlanta campaign, which continued for three months and twenty-six days. The Array of the Tennessee engaged in flanking duty and would one day attack the enemy at a certain place and the next probably make an attack twenty miles away. It was necessary to take forced and heavy marches in the night to do this.
Previous to this time, "lucky Company I," as it was called, had not lost a man but in August there were two killed and eight wounded while on skirmish duty. This company also carried the colors of the regiment. The battles of the Atlanta campaign in which they participated were Lay's Ferry, Dallas, Ga., Kenesaw Mountain, Altoona, Ga., and the battle of Atlanta on the 22d of July, rafter which the battle of Jonesboro, Ga , ended that campaign. Later the regiment spent some time in Rome, Ga., and then joined Gen. Sherman on his famous March to the Sea. At the battle of Atlanta Mr. Acker was struck by a piece of shell which stunned and knocked him down. On the expedition through the Carolinas, he had the honor of commanding his company and also at the Grand Review in Washington, the most brilliant military pageant ever seen in this country, where the scarred veterans with their tattered banners marched along the principal thoroughfares of the Capital City, and wave after wave of bayonet-crested blue passed before the reviewing stand, on which the President was seated. No more faithful soldier was found in the ranks than Mr. Acker, who by his meritorious conduct had been promoted from Corporal to Sergeant, then to First Sergeant and afterwards to First Lieutenant.
When the war was over Mr. Acker returned to Illinois, locating in Chicago, where for fourteen years he engaged in the lumber business. He then returned to Elgin, and for four years was employed in the watch factory but was forced to relinquish his position on account of failing health. He was engaged in the mail delivery for two years, after which he came to this county and has since engaged in general farming in Wauconda Township. He has served his fellow-townsmen as Commissioner of Highways in an efficient manner but has never sought public office. He cast his first Presidential vote for Abraham Lincoln and has since been a stalwart supporter of the Republican Party. With three different Grand Army Posts he has been connected as a member, including the Custer Post of Chicago, and now belongs to Wauconda Post, No. 368, G. A. R., in which he has served as commander. He is one of the most prominent and most highly respected citizens of the community, being held in high regard by all who know him for his sterling worth. His war record is one of which he may well be proud and as an honored veteran, a representative farmer and valued citizen of the community we present him to our readers.”
From The History of Lake County, Illinois 1891:
“JOHN W. ACKER, a farmer on section 35, Wauconda Township, was born in Madison County, N. Y., September 17, 1838, and is the youngest in a family of seven children. Conrad Acker, the father, also a native of the Empire State, was born in 1784, and died in 1864. He was reared in the Mohawk Valley, and throughout his life followed farming. He became a member of the old State Militia, and was a Democrat in politics until the rise of the Republican Party when he joined its ranks. He married Charity Wolaver, who was born in the Mohawk Valley in 1801, and died in 1879. The members of their family are Andrew, who enlisted for the late war and died in front of Richmond; Nicholas, who is married and conducts a hotel in New York; George, also married, is an engineer of Batavia, N. Y.; Harvey is married and is a stone and brickmason of Mason, Ingham County, Mich., where he resides with his family; Dewey is now deceased; Mariette is the wife of George Finckle, a farmer of Wisconsin; and John W. completes the number.
The education of Mr. Acker was obtained in the common schools of New York and he spent his early life as a farmer's lad. At the age of fifteen, accompanied by his parents and a sister, he left the Empire State and took up his residence in Dundee, ILL., in 1854, his parents afterward returning to New York. He began life for himself at the age of eighteen and afterward became an owner of land which he improved and developed, thereby acquiring a comfortable competence. The first event of special importance which occurred in his life was on the 29th of April, 1859, when he led to the marriage altar Miss Frances A. Finckle, who was born in East Springfield, N. Y., December 20, 1838, and is a daughter of William and Catherine (De Long) Finckle. Her father was born in 1811, and by trade was a carpenter but be afterward engaged in merchandising and also followed farming. He was an old-line Whig and at the organization of the Republican Party joined its ranks, supporting its principles until his death in April, 1883. His wife, who was also born in New York, about 1815, was of French extraction. She died at the age of thirty-nine years.
On the 11th of September, 1861, Mr. Acker enlisted in Company I, Fifty-second Illinois Infantry under Capt. J. T. Brown. The company was organized at Geneva, ILL., and after drilling for a time was ordered to Benton Barracks, Mo., where they were equipped for service and remained until the 8th of December, when they were sent to St. Joseph, Mo., to guard the railroad bridges. They encountered some guerrillas and remained in that State until January 16, 1862, when the regiment was ordered back to Cairo, where the forces of Gen. Grant were concentrating, preparatory to the campaigns of 1862. After a week spent at Ft. Holt, they were sent by steamer as a reserve corps to Smithland, Ky., where they remained until February 16, when they proceeded to Ft. Donelson. Arriving the day after the battle Company I was detailed to guard five hundred rebel prisoners whom they took by water to Alton, ILL., and thence to Camp Butler. Returning to Benton Barracks, they there remained until March 13, when the regiment took passage on a steamer for Pittsburg Landing. This was the first principal engagement in which the Fifty-second Infantry took part.
The regiment then advanced on Corinth, Miss., where they were engaged in constant skirmishing until after the evacuation, when the troops pursued the rebels to Boonesville, Miss, Returning they went into camp near Corinth and were engaged in scouting duty until the 14th of August, when they were ordered to Pocahontas, Tenn., to gather up the cotton and then return to camp. The regiment was then ordered east to meet the rebel Gen. Price and marched to Iuka, Miss., where they engaged in skirmish duty. The battle of Corinth occurred on the 3d and 4th of October, 1862, after which the Fifty-second Illinois pursued the enemy to Ruckersville and then returned to camp. On the 9th of December they started on the Tuscumbia expedition and on the 11th, engaged in a skirmish at Little Bear Creek, Ala. During the months of January and February, they marched more than five hundred miles on various expeditions through Tennessee, Alabama and Mississippi. Orders came to hold Gen, Forrest from attacking Gen. Straight and on the 15th of August they marched forward for that purpose. During the summer the Fifty-second was engaged in duty near Memphis, guarding railroads and intercepting the rebels from cutting off the base of supplies of the Federal troops. In the fall they were assigned to Gen. Sherman's array and the Division was left at Pulaski, Tenn., to serve as guard. In December, 1863, Mr. Acker returned home on a thirty days' furlough, having veteranized and then rejoined his regiment. After returning the troops were under the direct command of Col. John S. Wilcox. About the 1st of May they were ordered to Chattanooga and camped on the battle field of Chickamauga. Joining the First Brigade and Second Division of the Sixteenth Army Corps, the regiment was then prepared to take part in the Atlanta campaign, which continued for three months and twenty-six days. The Array of the Tennessee engaged in flanking duty and would one day attack the enemy at a certain place and the next probably make an attack twenty miles away. It was necessary to take forced and heavy marches in the night to do this.
Previous to this time, "lucky Company I," as it was called, had not lost a man but in August there were two killed and eight wounded while on skirmish duty. This company also carried the colors of the regiment. The battles of the Atlanta campaign in which they participated were Lay's Ferry, Dallas, Ga., Kenesaw Mountain, Altoona, Ga., and the battle of Atlanta on the 22d of July, rafter which the battle of Jonesboro, Ga , ended that campaign. Later the regiment spent some time in Rome, Ga., and then joined Gen. Sherman on his famous March to the Sea. At the battle of Atlanta Mr. Acker was struck by a piece of shell which stunned and knocked him down. On the expedition through the Carolinas, he had the honor of commanding his company and also at the Grand Review in Washington, the most brilliant military pageant ever seen in this country, where the scarred veterans with their tattered banners marched along the principal thoroughfares of the Capital City, and wave after wave of bayonet-crested blue passed before the reviewing stand, on which the President was seated. No more faithful soldier was found in the ranks than Mr. Acker, who by his meritorious conduct had been promoted from Corporal to Sergeant, then to First Sergeant and afterwards to First Lieutenant.
When the war was over Mr. Acker returned to Illinois, locating in Chicago, where for fourteen years he engaged in the lumber business. He then returned to Elgin, and for four years was employed in the watch factory but was forced to relinquish his position on account of failing health. He was engaged in the mail delivery for two years, after which he came to this county and has since engaged in general farming in Wauconda Township. He has served his fellow-townsmen as Commissioner of Highways in an efficient manner but has never sought public office. He cast his first Presidential vote for Abraham Lincoln and has since been a stalwart supporter of the Republican Party. With three different Grand Army Posts he has been connected as a member, including the Custer Post of Chicago, and now belongs to Wauconda Post, No. 368, G. A. R., in which he has served as commander. He is one of the most prominent and most highly respected citizens of the community, being held in high regard by all who know him for his sterling worth. His war record is one of which he may well be proud and as an honored veteran, a representative farmer and valued citizen of the community we present him to our readers.”
“JOHN W. ACKER, a farmer on section 35, Wauconda Township, was born in Madison County, N. Y., September 17, 1838, and is the youngest in a family of seven children. Conrad Acker, the father, also a native of the Empire State, was born in 1784, and died in 1864. He was reared in the Mohawk Valley, and throughout his life followed farming. He became a member of the old State Militia, and was a Democrat in politics until the rise of the Republican Party when he joined its ranks. He married Charity Wolaver, who was born in the Mohawk Valley in 1801, and died in 1879. The members of their family are Andrew, who enlisted for the late war and died in front of Richmond; Nicholas, who is married and conducts a hotel in New York; George, also married, is an engineer of Batavia, N. Y.; Harvey is married and is a stone and brickmason of Mason, Ingham County, Mich., where he resides with his family; Dewey is now deceased; Mariette is the wife of George Finckle, a farmer of Wisconsin; and John W. completes the number.
The education of Mr. Acker was obtained in the common schools of New York and he spent his early life as a farmer's lad. At the age of fifteen, accompanied by his parents and a sister, he left the Empire State and took up his residence in Dundee, ILL., in 1854, his parents afterward returning to New York. He began life for himself at the age of eighteen and afterward became an owner of land which he improved and developed, thereby acquiring a comfortable competence. The first event of special importance which occurred in his life was on the 29th of April, 1859, when he led to the marriage altar Miss Frances A. Finckle, who was born in East Springfield, N. Y., December 20, 1838, and is a daughter of William and Catherine (De Long) Finckle. Her father was born in 1811, and by trade was a carpenter but be afterward engaged in merchandising and also followed farming. He was an old-line Whig and at the organization of the Republican Party joined its ranks, supporting its principles until his death in April, 1883. His wife, who was also born in New York, about 1815, was of French extraction. She died at the age of thirty-nine years.
On the 11th of September, 1861, Mr. Acker enlisted in Company I, Fifty-second Illinois Infantry under Capt. J. T. Brown. The company was organized at Geneva, ILL., and after drilling for a time was ordered to Benton Barracks, Mo., where they were equipped for service and remained until the 8th of December, when they were sent to St. Joseph, Mo., to guard the railroad bridges. They encountered some guerrillas and remained in that State until January 16, 1862, when the regiment was ordered back to Cairo, where the forces of Gen. Grant were concentrating, preparatory to the campaigns of 1862. After a week spent at Ft. Holt, they were sent by steamer as a reserve corps to Smithland, Ky., where they remained until February 16, when they proceeded to Ft. Donelson. Arriving the day after the battle Company I was detailed to guard five hundred rebel prisoners whom they took by water to Alton, ILL., and thence to Camp Butler. Returning to Benton Barracks, they there remained until March 13, when the regiment took passage on a steamer for Pittsburg Landing. This was the first principal engagement in which the Fifty-second Infantry took part.
The regiment then advanced on Corinth, Miss., where they were engaged in constant skirmishing until after the evacuation, when the troops pursued the rebels to Boonesville, Miss, Returning they went into camp near Corinth and were engaged in scouting duty until the 14th of August, when they were ordered to Pocahontas, Tenn., to gather up the cotton and then return to camp. The regiment was then ordered east to meet the rebel Gen. Price and marched to Iuka, Miss., where they engaged in skirmish duty. The battle of Corinth occurred on the 3d and 4th of October, 1862, after which the Fifty-second Illinois pursued the enemy to Ruckersville and then returned to camp. On the 9th of December they started on the Tuscumbia expedition and on the 11th, engaged in a skirmish at Little Bear Creek, Ala. During the months of January and February, they marched more than five hundred miles on various expeditions through Tennessee, Alabama and Mississippi. Orders came to hold Gen, Forrest from attacking Gen. Straight and on the 15th of August they marched forward for that purpose. During the summer the Fifty-second was engaged in duty near Memphis, guarding railroads and intercepting the rebels from cutting off the base of supplies of the Federal troops. In the fall they were assigned to Gen. Sherman's array and the Division was left at Pulaski, Tenn., to serve as guard. In December, 1863, Mr. Acker returned home on a thirty days' furlough, having veteranized and then rejoined his regiment. After returning the troops were under the direct command of Col. John S. Wilcox. About the 1st of May they were ordered to Chattanooga and camped on the battle field of Chickamauga. Joining the First Brigade and Second Division of the Sixteenth Army Corps, the regiment was then prepared to take part in the Atlanta campaign, which continued for three months and twenty-six days. The Array of the Tennessee engaged in flanking duty and would one day attack the enemy at a certain place and the next probably make an attack twenty miles away. It was necessary to take forced and heavy marches in the night to do this.
Previous to this time, "lucky Company I," as it was called, had not lost a man but in August there were two killed and eight wounded while on skirmish duty. This company also carried the colors of the regiment. The battles of the Atlanta campaign in which they participated were Lay's Ferry, Dallas, Ga., Kenesaw Mountain, Altoona, Ga., and the battle of Atlanta on the 22d of July, rafter which the battle of Jonesboro, Ga , ended that campaign. Later the regiment spent some time in Rome, Ga., and then joined Gen. Sherman on his famous March to the Sea. At the battle of Atlanta Mr. Acker was struck by a piece of shell which stunned and knocked him down. On the expedition through the Carolinas, he had the honor of commanding his company and also at the Grand Review in Washington, the most brilliant military pageant ever seen in this country, where the scarred veterans with their tattered banners marched along the principal thoroughfares of the Capital City, and wave after wave of bayonet-crested blue passed before the reviewing stand, on which the President was seated. No more faithful soldier was found in the ranks than Mr. Acker, who by his meritorious conduct had been promoted from Corporal to Sergeant, then to First Sergeant and afterwards to First Lieutenant.
When the war was over Mr. Acker returned to Illinois, locating in Chicago, where for fourteen years he engaged in the lumber business. He then returned to Elgin, and for four years was employed in the watch factory but was forced to relinquish his position on account of failing health. He was engaged in the mail delivery for two years, after which he came to this county and has since engaged in general farming in Wauconda Township. He has served his fellow-townsmen as Commissioner of Highways in an efficient manner but has never sought public office. He cast his first Presidential vote for Abraham Lincoln and has since been a stalwart supporter of the Republican Party. With three different Grand Army Posts he has been connected as a member, including the Custer Post of Chicago, and now belongs to Wauconda Post, No. 368, G. A. R., in which he has served as commander. He is one of the most prominent and most highly respected citizens of the community, being held in high regard by all who know him for his sterling worth. His war record is one of which he may well be proud and as an honored veteran, a representative farmer and valued citizen of the community we present him to our readers.”
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