From "HISTORY OF THE UPPER OHIO VALLEY,"  Vol. I, page 203.
Brant & Fuller, 1890.


JAMES R. ACKER

James R. Acker, an old and honored citizen of Wheeling, W.Va., and a 
prominent grocer and flour and feed merchant, was born in Wheeling, 
November 22, 1830.  He is the son of David and Hannah Acker, the 
former of whom died when James was three years old, and the latter 
died in 1851.  The home of our subject has been in Wheeling all his 
life.  He received a common school education, and during his youth 
was employed as a nail feeder. At nineteen years of age he entered 
the employ of Isaac Blanchard, for whom he clerked in a grocery store 
ten years, and in June, 1859, engaged in the grocery and flour and 
feed business at No. 115 Sixteenth street, where he has continued 
ever since - a period of thirty years.  He has built up an honorable 
reputation, and he is widely known as a successful and reliable 
merchant.  Mr. Acker was married in 1857 to Miss Kate Keller, who 
died in 1867, leaving three children: Millard, Agnes and Minnie, all 
of whom are still living.  In May, 1868, Mr. Acker was married to 
Miss Emma S. Hobson, who has borne him two children: Alice B. and 
Homer B., the former of whom died, aged nine years.  Mr. and Mrs. 
Acker are members of the First Presbyterian church.  Mr. Acker has 
been a member of the I.O.O.F. since 1856, and in politics is a 
democrat.  He has served two terms as a member of the city council, 
and for the past ten years has been a member of the board of 
education.  Before the office was abolished he served one term as 
overseer of the poor.  Mr. Acker is one of Wheeling's best citizens, 
and he is very highly respected by all who know him.    

(Linda Fluharty)