Sewing Machine Shop Worker and Farmer
1846 – January 19, 1932 (age 86)
BACKGROUND. Born in New York, NY, son of John J. and Sophia and youngest brother to William H., Elenor, Charles and Ennis. At age 23, on August 29, 1862 in New York City, Ackerson enlisted as a Private in the 145th Infantry, Company E, transferring on December 9, 1863 to Company H, 123rd New York Infantry as a Private.
MILITARY. The 145th, the "Stanton Legion," was assigned to the 2nd brigade, 2nd (Greene's) division, 12th corps, near Harper's Ferry until December, engaged at Chancellorsville and Gettysburg, in pursuit of Lee until the Rappahannock, then at Williamsport, MD, and Robertson's Ford, VA. Upon the disbanding of the 145th, the men were distributed to the 107th, 123d, and 150th regiments. In April, 1864, the 123rd started on the Atlanta campaign with Sherman, active at Resaca, Cassville and Dallas. From July 21 to Aug. 26, engaged in the siege of Atlanta, and on Nov. 15, moving with Sherman on the march to the sea, in the final campaign of the Carolinas the following year at Chesterfield, Averasboro, Bentonville, Aiken, Smithfield, Raleigh and Bennett's house. After Johnston's surrender, marched to Washington with the army, participating in the grand review. Private Ackerson mustered out on June 8, 1865 near DC.
Length of Service. 2 years 9 months.
CIVILIAN LIFE. Ackerson married Catharine Lawrie in Manhattan in 1867, the couple residing 3 years later in Bridgeport, CT, with daughter Annie S., Ackerson working in a sewing machine shop. According to the 1910 U.S. Census, Ackerson(63) resides in Monroe on family farm with Elmira Deas (72) and Kate E. Sherman (39). By 1920 Ackerson marries 2nd wife, Sofia Leonia (1860 - 1926), born in Alsace Lorraine.
The written accounts of the lives of the various soldiers were taken from government census and military documents as well as additional sources as noted on the individual abstracts. The volunteer researchers and writers from Save Our Stepney Task Force compared sources to create the most accurate account for each soldier.