John Acker (Pennsylvania politician)

American politician (1814–1904)

John Acker
Acker in a 1904 publication

Member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives from the Chester County district
In office 1852–1852Serving with William Chandler and Jesse James
Preceded by	David J. Bent, John S. Evans, James M. Dorlan
Succeeded by	William Chandler, Joseph Hickman, Jesse James
In office 1850–1850Serving with David J. Bent and John S. Bowen
Preceded by	Henry S. Evans, Thomas K. Bull, David J. Bent
Succeeded by	David J. Bent, John S. Evans, James M. Dorlan

Personal details
Born	November 1814 Uwchlan Township, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Died	January 17, 1904(1904-01-17) (aged 89) West Chester, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Political party	Whig Republican
Spouse(s)	Lydia Harrar (m. 1837; died 1864) Mary L. Weaver (m. 1867; died 1898)
Children	5
Relatives	Isaac Acker (cousin)
Occupation	Politician farmer
Signature

John Acker (November 1814 – January 17, 1904) was an American politician from Pennsylvania. He served in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, representing Chester County in 1850 and 1852.

Early life

John Acker was born on November 26 or 29, 1814, in Uwchlan Township, Pennsylvania, to Catharine (née Laubach) and John Acker. His father was a farmer. Acker attended neighborhood schools and Joseph Hoopes's school in West Chester.

Career

As a young man, Acker took up farming. In 1850, he joined a grain, coal and lumber business in East Whiteland Township. He stayed with the business until 1876. In 1876, he moved to Kentucky and started a fruit growing and nursery business. In 1896, he moved back to West Chester.

Acker was a Whig and Republican. In 1840, he was elected justice of the peace and remained in that role for 10 years. He served as a Whig in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, representing Chester County in 1850 and 1852. He also served as the judge, inspector and clerk of elections.

Personal life

Acker married Lydia Harrar, daughter of William Harrar, of Montgomery County on April 13, 1837. They had five children, Catherine, William, Caroline (died 1878), Elenor and Mary. His wife died in 1864. He married Mary L. Weaver, daughter of Baldwin Weaver, on November 28, 1867. She died in 1898. His cousin Isaac Acker was a member of the Pennsylvania House.

Acker died on January 17, 1904, at his home at 322 North High Street in West Chester.

References

^ Cope, Gilbert; Ashmead, Henry Graham, eds. (1904). Historic Homes and Institutions and Genealogical and Personal Memoirs of Chester and Delaware Counties, Pennsylvania. Vol. 1. The Lewis Publishing Company. pp. 117–119. Retrieved November 18, 2023 – via Archive.org.
^ Futhey, J. Smith; Cope, Gilbert (1881). History of Chester County, Pennsylvania with Genealogical and Biographical Sketches. Louis H. Everts. p. 461. Retrieved December 2, 2023 – via Archive.org.
^ "Hon. John Acker..." The Reading Daily Times and Dispatch. January 22, 1904. p. 3. Retrieved December 2, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
"John Acker". Pennsylvania House of Representatives Archives. Retrieved December 2, 2023.

External links

Media related to John Acker (Pennsylvania politician) at Wikimedia Commons

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