Newspaper Obituary - Wednesday, July 29, 1942 Sandy Creek News - H. W. Ackerman Dies Following Short Illness - Harma W. Ackerman, well known Lacona resident for over fifty years, died about 6 p. m. Tuesday, July 28, 1942 at the Oswego County Sanatorium where he had been employed the past ten years. A heart condition was responsible for his death although he had been critically ill only since Monday night, having been stricken while visiting his mother, Mrs. Ola Ackerman, at their Lacona home. Mr. Ackerman was born in the Town of Boylston June 20, 1880, the son of the late George Ackerman and of Mrs. Ola Seryis Ackerman. When he was six the family came to Lacona where he had since lived. He attended Sandy Creek grade and high school. November 23, 1904, he was married to Miss Viola Pratt, daughter of Foster S. Pratt and the late Mrs. Pratt of Lacona, one daughter Doris, being born to them. Mr. Ackerman was one of the well known business men of the county and had served his town and country in a number of responsible political offices. When a young man he was associated for a while with his father, the late George H. Ackerman in the grocery store now owned by Mrs. Sylvia Ackerman and he was later in business with his father-in-law Foster S. Pratt, local undertaker. He was one of the first to enter the summer hotel business at Ontario Bay and operated the Ontario Bay House, one of the best known summer resorts in this area, from 1905 until 1929 when he sold it. Mr. Ackerman's father, the late George H. Ackerman, was the pioneer in developing the summer resort business at Ontario Bay, having purchased the Bishop Grove which became known as Ackerman's Grove, a name which still clings to the area. A Republican in politics, Mr. Ackerman served two terms as collector of the Town Of Sandy Creek and from 1921 to 1929 was town supervisor. While on the board he served as chairman and was also chairman of the highway committee. While serving as chairman of the highway committee he was appointed acting Oswego County Highway Superintendent following the death of Bert Howard. Mr. Ackerman filled out Mr. Howard's unexpired term of a year and a half. From 1933 to 1935 he was treasurer of the Sandy Creek Fair Association. For the last ten years he has been employed by the Oswego County Sanatorium where he assisted the purchasing agent in the buying, and also did the driving. He was formerly active in the Lacona fire department and the I.O.O.F. at Lacona and at one time was Noble Grand of this order. At the time of his death he was a member of Sandy Creek Lodge No. 564 F & A. M. and of the Sandy Creek Methodist church. Mr. Ackerman is survived by his mother, Mrs. Ola Ackerman; by his widow, Mrs. Viola Ackerman; one daughter, Mrs. Arthur Nicholson of Syracuse, and two grandchildren, Bill and Mary Nicholson. Funeral services will be conducted at the home at 2 p.m. Friday. Rev. Herbert Harrison pastor of Sandy Creek Methodist church, officiating. Burial will be in Woodlawn Cemetery.