Benjamin Franklin Akers (b. November 30, 1842, d. March 17, 1941)
Benjamin Franklin Akers (son of John Clement Akers and Experience King) was born November 30, 1842 in Green Township, Pike County, Pennsylvania, and died March 17, 1941 in Clarinda IA.
Notes for Benjamin Franklin Akers: Akers history compiled by Edna Ellen Akers Posten, Gravity , Iowa
BIOGRAPHY: From Taylor County History (Iowa) - Printed in 1881 - Akers , B.F. farmer and stock raiser Section One, Post Office, Be dford, IA. Born in Pennsylvania in 1842, came with his par ents to Iowa in 1857. At the age of eighteen joined The Tw enty Second Iowa Volunteer Infantry, Company A in June 1862 . Promoted to Corporal in 1863. Engaged at the battles o f Port Gibson, Champion Hill, Mississippi, Black River Brid ge, assault and siege of Vicksburg, Winchester Virginia, Fi sher Hill, Cedar Creek Virginia and numerous skirmishes, fo rced marches etc. Indeed was in every action of the regime nt, and was never off duty a single day during three year s of service. After being discharged July 25, 1865 he doff ed the Union Blue of the Army and donned the jeans of a far mer, which business he successfully followed since. Was ma rried in 1867 to Miss Harriet Josephine Bannister, a nativ e of Illinois. Came back to Taylor County in 1868, locatin g where he now lives. Has a fine farm of 180 acres of wel l improved land, with good substantial buildings. Orchar d of apples, peaches, pears, plums and abundance of cherr y and small fruits. A hickory tree is still growing - in th e year of 1977 - which he planted, bringing the seed from J ohnson County, Iowa. Is a good citizen, industrious and pr osperous. They are the parents of nine children. Both ar e buried at Washington Cemetery, Taylor County, Gravity, Io wa.
BIOGRAPHY: Following excerpt taken from Mr. Akers' diary: "I was the best marksman in the Company. The 6th Corp oral died. I was off on guard. They called me in and sai d "Is Ben Akers here?" I answered and the officer said "yo u are now a Corporal." I signed the papers and they were s ent in for Abraham Lincoln to sign. I was Corporal til l I was discharged in Savannah, Ga. " Go out behind the ho use and wash up and the ladies will have dinner for you" sa id Mr. Lincoln. We ate dinner on the porch at the White Ho use and I shook hands with the President of the United Stat es, Abraham Lincoln... "Boys," said he, "eat heartily; you 're a fine bunch of boys. I'm sending you down in the Shen andoah and some of you will be killed but I don't want al l of you killed." He walked around our boys and looked a t our tattered flag. He said "It looks as if it had been s ome place." he said. After my discharge I came to Davenport (Iowa) to get my mon ey. Was paid, also half fare to Iowa City was paid."
BIOGRAPHY: Was with Phil Sheridan in Shenandoah Valley.
BIOGRAPHY: School Director for 8 years, Trustee for 6 years.
BIOGRAPHY: 1860 Federal Census, Graham Township, Johnson County, Iowa , roll 327, Page 555
BIOGRAPHY: 1850 Federal Census, Green Township, Pike County, Pennsylva nia, Roll 783, page 4
BIOGRAPHY: Family Group Records from Dianne Akers Graham, 1998
BIOGRAPHY: Last Civil War Veteran in Taylor County Died Monday B. F. Akers, 98, last Civil War Veteran in Taylor Coun ty, died in the Municipal Hospital in Clarinda, Monday morn ing at 10:30. Since May 30 of last year, he has been makin g his home with his grandson, Marion Luther, but on March 1 1th his condition became so serious that it was found neces sary to take him to the hospital where he passed away Monda y. Mr. Akers spent most of his life on the home farm nort heast of Gravity, and was one of the early pioneers of th e county. Here the family grew up. Several years ago he p urchased property in south Gravity, which was his home unti l after the death of his wife. Since then he spent much o f his time in his home, but of late years he has been makin g his home with different relatives.
Benjamin Franklin Akers was born in Pike Co PA
More About Benjamin Franklin Akers: Burial: Unknown, Washington Cemetery, Taylor County, Gravity, Iowa. Census 1: 1850, Green Township, Pike County, Pennsylva nia, Roll 783, page 4. Census 2: 1860, Federal Census, Graham Township, Johnson County, Iowa , roll 327, Page 555.
Benjamin Franklin Akers (b. November 30, 1842, d. March 17, 1941)
Notes for Benjamin Franklin Akers: