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REV. PHILIP ACKERMANN

A man who has accomplished a great amount of good among his fellows, won their praise and good will and reared a large family in comfort and respectability is the Rev. Philip Ackermann, of Hawkeye, Fayette county, a man who is deserving of conspicuous mention in the history of his locality, and yet he is unassuming and unostentatious, desiring the approval of his Master and his own conscience rather than the plaudits of men. Such a life should be emulated by the younger generation, for it is free from selfishness, paltriness and false show and one fraught with incalculable good to mankind. He is an American by adoption only, having been born in Berfelden, grand duchy of Hessen-Darmstadt, Germany, on September 5, 1850, and is the son of Frederick and Barbara Marguerite Ackermann. The father was a physician, first practicing with great success in the vicinity where his son, Rev. Philip Ackermann, was born; he later moved to Reichelsheim, Germany, and finally he retired to the city of Bensheim, where both he and his good wife passed to their reward in the great beyond.

Rev. Philip Ackermann studied at Bensheim and Darmstadt, making an excellent record in the college there; later he studied at Giessen at the university; then at the Preachers’ Seminary at Friedberg. In all of these institutions he applied himself very closely to his studies and became highly educated. He came to America in 1874 and located in Wisconsin.

Reverend Ackermann was ordained to the ministry at Buffalo, New York, and his first congregation was at Kirchhain, Ozaukee county, Wisconsin, where he remained three years, then moved to Frazier, Macomb county, Michigan, and remained there three years. He then spent fourteen years at Milford, Iroquois county, Illinois, after which he spent eight years at Hull, Sioux county, Iowa. He then moved to Welcome, Martin county, Minnesota, filling his pastorate there for three years. It was in 1903 that he moved to Hawkeye, Fayette county, Iowa, where he has since remained. Wherever his lot has been cast he has done very praiseworthy work, greatly strengthening the congregation and leaving a record behind of which anyone should be proud, for he is a good organizer, careful to look after all the details of his charge, a forceful, earnest and eloquent advocate of the doctrine of the Messiah.

Reverend Ackermann was married in 1875 to Anna Schroeder, at Kirchhain, Wisconsin. She has proved to be a very helpful help-meet, interested in the work of her husband and all worthy causes. This union resulted in the birth of the following children: Johanna, Hadwig, Robert, Gotthold, Karl and Lydia.

Reverend Ackermann was married a second time, his last wife being Anna Hauschild, whom he espoused in 1890; she is an excellent woman and the daughter of a highly respected family. The following children have been born to this second union: Frieda, Marie, Friedrich, Paula and Otto.

~transcribed by Nancy Schroeder