Newman M. & Samantha Jane (Richmond) Acker

From "Portrait and biographical record of Walworth and Jefferson counties, Wisconsin....", Chicago, 1894.

NEWMAN N. ACKER follows farming on section 27, Bloomfield Township. Here he owns and operates one hundred and ninety-seven acres of good land, and has made his home thereon for thirty-eight years. His farm is one of the best in the neighborhood, being under a high state of cultivation, and well improved with all modern accessories and conveniences. Neat and thrifty in appearance, it indicates to the passer-by the careful supervision of the owner, who is regarded as one of the leading agriculturists of the community.

Mr. Acker was born in Livingston County, N. Y., February 9, 1824. His grandfather, Albert Acker, was a native of England, and with a brother, John, crossed the briny deep to the New World, locating in New Jersey, whence he afterwards removed to New York. His brother located in Schoharie County of the Empire State. Albert Acker was a shoemaker by trade, and also followed the occupation of farming. During the Revolutionary War, he aided the Colonies in their struggle for independence, and later drew a pension in recognition of his services. His death occurred at about the age of eighty years. In his family of eight children was Silas Acker, the father of our subject, who was born in New Jersey, but during the greater part of his life carried on agricultural pursuits in Livingston County, N. Y., where his death occurred in 1868, at the age of seventy-eight. He served in the War of 1812. The mother of our subject bore the maiden name of Betsy McClelland. Her father, Joseph McClelland, was a native of Ireland, and became a farmer of Livingston County, N. Y.

The parents of our subject had a family of six children, three of whom are yet living: Sallie Ann, wife of Alanson E. Warner of Iola, Kan.; Newman M.; and Samuel. Mr. and Mrs. Acker were both members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. After the death of his first wife, the father married Betsy John, and to them were born two children, Elizabeth and Frances. For his third wife, Mr. Acker chose Miss Phoebe Kerns, and their union was blessed with two children, Frank and Rosina Sidona.

The gentleman whose name heads this record remained on a farm in Livingston County, N. Y., until fifteen years of age, and then went to Avon, where he learned the blacksmith's trade, which he followed for about four years. On the expiration of that period, he once more turned his attention to agricultural pursuits. As a companion and helpmate on life's journey, he chose Miss Samantha Jane Richmond, and on the 19th of March, 1846, their marriage was celebrated. The lady is a daughter of Elisha [sic] and Elizabeth (Fowler) Richmond, natives of New York.

In 1849, Mr. and Mrs. Acker emigrated westward, locating in Wisconsin, where our subject purchased a farm of eighty acres, to which he afterward added forty-two acres. In 1851 he removed his family to that place, and there resided for five years, when they moved to their present home. Besides this farm, Mr. Acker owns one hundred and four acres elsewhere, and has become one of the substantial citizens of the community. Seven children were born of the union of our subject and his wife, two sons and five daughters. Wilbur Hoag married Agnes Ketchpaw, by whom he has two children, Lucina Jane and George Newman, and now makes his home in Elkhorn. Marvin Whitfield wedded Elizabeth Jane Gifford, who died leaving four children: Luella, Georgie Ann, Maude and Lucy Mary. Loretta is the wife of Edwin Davis, of Bloomfield Township, by whom she has three sons: Newman, Claude and Marvin. Frances Jane is now deceased. Dollie Jane is the wife of Oscar Van Dyke, of Boone County, Ill., by whom she has a daughter, Alta May. Della Retta is the wife of Myron Lambert. They live on the old homestead, and have two children, Jennie Diantha and Pearl. Mary Elizabeth, the youngest of the family, is now deceased.

Both Mr. and Mrs. Acker are faithful and consistent members of the Methodist Church, in which he is now serving as Steward. The cause of temperance finds in him a warm friend, and he is much interested in the growth of temperance principles. In politics, he is a supporter of the Republican party. He has witnessed the greater part of the development of Walworth County, has seen its wild land transformed into beautiful homes and farms, and has watched the growth of the towns and cities. In the work of public improvement and advancement he has ever borne his part, and well deserves mention among the early settlers.