California Biographies Transcribed by Peggy Hooper This file is part of the California Genealogy & History Archives http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~cagha/index.htm Source: History of the state of California and biographical record of the San Joaquin Valley, California. An historical story of the state's marvelous growth from its earliest settlement to the present time. Prof. James Miller Guinn , A. M. The Chapman Publishing Co., Chicago 1905 Notes: Missing Page: 865-866,983-984,1175-1176 FRED ACKERMAN. The sterling traits of character which have distinguished the citizen- ship of Fred Ackerman during- his residence in Portersville, Tulare county, are a direct inherit- ance from a long line of sturdy German ancestors. He was born near Freiburg, Baden, Ger- many, November 25, 1857, the fifth in a family of thirteen children, of whom nine are living; three are in America and only one is in California. His father, Andrew Ackerman, was a native of the same locality in Germany, where he earned a livelihood as a farmer. He was a man of patriotism and loyalty, and during the revolution of 1848 he served in the German army. His death occurred August 8, 1903, at the age of eighty-five years, removing from the community a helpful and earnest citizen and one whose best efforts were always given for the betterment of the general welfare. Until his retirement on account of advanced age, he gave effective service as city trustee, and enjoyed the confidence and esteem of all who knew him. He was a devout member of the Lutheran Church. His wife, Anna Maria Ackerman, was also born in Baden, Germany, where her death occurred in July, 1902, at the age of eighty-three years. Fred Ackerman was reared on the paternal farm to the age of fifteen years, receiving a prac- tical education in the common schools of his native land. When fifteen he was sent to Stutt- gart, where he was offered a place as a barber with Fritz Schaentzel, having been apprenticed to learn this trade when fourteen years old. He also learned hair-dressing under Mr. Schaentzel, with whom he remained until 1874, when he came to America and located in Brooklyn, N. Y. He followed his trade in that city, tend later in Hoboken, N. J., remaining until 1878, when he returned to Germany and spent the ensuing six months at home. Deciding again to locate in the United States, he returned to New York and remained there until 1880, when he went to Providence, R. I., then Manhattan Beach, thence to St. Louis, Chicago and Cincinnati, finally re- turning to New York in the same year. In 1881 he went to Chicago again, and from there to Council Bluffs, Iowa, where he spent six months, thence to Butte, Mont., and in December of the same year to Helena. In the spring of 1882 he went to Cook City, National Park, and Bozeman, Mont., where he remained one year, then during the Coeur d�Alene gold excitement went to Spokane Falls, Wash. Returning to Helena, he remained until the fall of 1887, when he came to California and attended Barnard's Business College in San Francisco. In February of the following year he opened a barber shop in Portersville, which he conducted for eighteen months, when he returned to Cook City to settle up his affairs. For a time thereafter he was lo- cated in Whatcom, Wash., where he still owns property, conducting a successful business until 1891, when he returned to Portersville and opened a restaurant, bakery and lodging house, which brought him large returns for the period of three years that he was interested in it. He then sold the restaurant and bakery, and in 1900 sold the building, continuing the lodging house until 1 901, when he finally disposed of that. In the meantime he purchased the Putnam block, containing two stores, the dimensions of which are 75 x 126 feet, holding it intact until January. 1905, when he sold thirty-five feet. He also owns other valuable business, residence and farm properties in this section, among which is a thirteen-acre orange tract adjoining the city, and three acres adjoining the high school building. Mr. Ackerman has had many experiences in his business career, but has met with success in his efforts which have given him a competence, and at the same time has won for himself the respect of those with whom he has had business dealings. In Portersville, September 2. 1897, Mr. Ackerman was united in marriage with Catherine Sturm, a native of Alsace-Lorraine, and a daughter of Christian Sturm, a farmer of that locality. He came to America in 1892, locating first in Elgin, Ill., thence to St. James, Minn., where he remained four years, in October, 1897, coming to Portersville. In 1901 he returned to his old home in Alsace-Lorraine. His wife, Madeline, is also living and enjoying the fruits of his early industry. They are devout members of the Lutheran Church. Mrs. Ackerman was the youngest child in her father's family. She is the mother of the following children : Ulrich, who died when one year old ; Martha ; and Rebecca. Fraternally Mr. Ackerman is identified with the Woodmen of the World and Knights of Pythias, while his wife belongs to the Ladies of the Maccabees. He is a member of the Evangel- ical Association, and politically is a stanch adherent of the principles advocated in the plat- form of the Republican party. Interested in the progress and development of the city, Mr. Ackerman takes an active interest in every movement that pertains to the general welfare, act- ing as a volunteer fireman and holding the office of secretary of the fire department. Upon the incorporation of Portersville as a city he was elected one of the trustees.