Читать книгу History of Westchester County, New York, Volume 2 - Группа авторов - Страница 41

The subject of this review has spent his entire life in Westchester county and for many years has been prominently identified with her agricultural interests. His is the honorable record of a conscientious man, — one who by his upright life has won the confidence of all with whom he has come in contact. He is now almost eighty years of age, but has the vigor of a much younger man, and in spirit and interest seems near his prime. Old age is not necessarily a synonym of weakness or inactivity. It needs not suggest as a matter of course helplessness or the want of occupation. There is an old age that is a benediction to all who come in contact with it, that gives out its richest stores of learning and experience, and grows stronger intellectually and spiritually as the years pass. Such is true of the life of Mr. Acker, — an encouragement to his associates and an example well worthy of emulation by the young.

He was born on the old Acker homestead, in the town of Greenburg, Westchester county. May 29, 1819, and is now the only living male representative of his father's family. His parents were Abraham and Mary (Lawrence) Acker and his original ancestors were from Holland, but four or five generations of the family have been born in this country. The father also was born in the town of Greenburg, in 1777, and throughout his active business life followed the occupation of farming. He was a man of strong will power and great force of character, and was a Democrat of the Jeffersonian stamp. He died in 1864 and was buried in the White Plains cemetery. The grandfather, Jacob Acker, was likewise a native of Greenburg, where he spent his entire life, dying in December, 1835. He was twice married, his first wife being a Miss Bookout, his second Miss Maria Demarest. Our subject's great-grandfather was William Acker, and his grandfather, Jacob Acker, took an active part in the Revolutionary war, valiantly aiding the colonies in their struggle for independence. Our subject's mother was. born in Poughkeepsie, New York, in 1780, and was a daughter of John and Sarah Lawrence, whose ancestors were originally from England. Six children were born to Abraham and Mary (Lawrence) Acker, three sons and three daughters, all of whom lived to maturity, were married and reared families of their own, but only two are now living. Their names and dates of birth are as follows: Simon, 1802; Catherine, 1803; Jacob, 1806; Julia, 1810; William, 1819; and Harriet, 1824. Besides our subject, Harriet is the only survivor; she is the wife of Elgin Tompkins and resides in Greensburg.

During his boyhood and youth William Acker remained under the parental roof and became thoroughly familiar with every department of farm work. He attended the common schools of the town of Greenburg, his only teacher being George H. Zinks, who was a rigid disciplinarian and a noted instructor. In this school Mr. Acker completed his education, and then worked for his father on the home farm until he attained his majority. On starting out in life for himself he operated rented land in the town of Greenburg for several years. In the meantime he was married, in 1841, to Miss Rebecca Tompkins, the only daughter of Elijah and Esther (Lawrence) Tompkins, and after his marriage located upon his father-in-law's farm, comprising one hundred and twelve acres. They came into possession of the place upon the death of Mr. and Mrs. Tompkins, and Mr. Acker has since successfully conducted it and has also extended its boundaries by adding more land. The old home being destroyed by fire, he erected a new and more commodious residence, has also built good barns and outbuildings, and made many other improvements which add' greatly to the value and attractive appearance of the place.

Mr. and Mrs. Acker have a family of four children: Gardner T. ; Elijah; Esther, wife of Warner Le Fergy, who resides in the town of Greenburg; and Anna, at home. The parents are both sincere and faithful members of the Methodist Episcopal church, of which Mr. Acker has been, one of the trustees for many years. He is a stockholder and director in the Dobbs Ferry Bank, and as a public-spirited and progressive citizen he takes a lively interest in all matters calculated to prove of public good. In politics be is a stanch Democrat, and served for some time as commissioner of highways and' as school trustee. He has been a strictly temperate man, never using liquors and only occasionally smoking, and he has the esteem of his friends and neighbors and the confidence of all who know him.