JAMES R. AKERS
A careful man of business, honest in his dealings, considerate toward others, and an exemplary man in walk and
conversation, Mr. Akers is highly esteemed in the community in which he lives. A resident of the village of Camden,
Ray County, he was born within four and one-half miles of his present location, where he carries on the business
of a grocer. His parents were Joseph and Elizabeth (Heard) Akers, the place of whose nativity is not certainly
known, but the father was born in 1795 and the mother in 1805 and both were reared upon farms in the timbered part
of Kentucky. Their education was quite limited, although the father was a very good penman.
The parents of our subject were married in Kentucky in 1828 and soon thereafter came to Missouri, settling in
Saline County. The father was a carpenter and pursued that trade for some time after moving to this State. He
entered land near Camden and lived there a few years; then purchased more, east of Camden, so that he had three
hundred an forty-two acres in all. Afterward he embarked in the commission business on the river, being probably
the first commission man in the county, and the chief commodities in which he dealt were tobacco and hemp.
Joseph Akers was a member of Richmond Lodge No. 57, A. F. & A. M. He was a Whig, with all the ardor that
stamped the followers of Clay, Harrison, Taylor and Scott. Five children came to bless his household, namely:
Sarah, Mrs. Robert McCann; Catharine; James, our subject; Mary, Mrs. Henderson McGonigal; and Marion. All are
deceased with the exception of our subject. The father died when our subject was but eight years old, and his
wife subsequently married Albert Cook.
Our subject left his home in 1852, going across the plains to California, in company with seventeen others, all
with ox-teams and wagons. The party consumed five months and twenty days in the trip, and the provisions giving
out, they had to pay $32 per hundred for flour. Mr. Akers located in Butte County, and mined for a short time.
But making little money at the occupation, he hired out as a teamster to a fluming company, with which he worked
one season, and was then employed as a collector of foreign taxes. The latter work was extremely hazardous, his
life being almost in constant jeopardy; so after six months thus occupied, he resigned and turned his face homeward,
going by way of the sea to New York and thence by rail to Missouri. He settled upon the farm left him by his father
and remained there until November 18, 1866, except the time he was in the Union army. At the date named he entered
the mercantile business at Camden, in which he has continued ever since, meeting some reverses, such being inseparable,
it would seem, from all business enterprises; yet steadily advancing, until now in a store 20x50 feet, well stocked
with groceries, he conducts a very satisfactory business.
Our subject was married December 9, 1857, to Malinda M., daughter of Lloyd and Rachael (Cox) Cooper. Eight children
were born of the union: John T., George R., Walter K., Melissa, Mary E. (deceased), William T., and two that died
young. Mr. Akers and his wife are consistent members of the Methodist Episcopal church of Camden. He is a member
of Lodge No. 444, A. F. & A. M., of Orrick. The teachings of the Democratic party are in entire harmony with
his views, and his vote and influence are freely given to its support. He entered the Union army in Company C.,
Fifty-first Regiment Enrolled Militia, in 1862, and took part in several engagements. He was taken prisoner at
the battle of Glasgow, conveyed to St. Louis, but soon returned to his home, never having been discharged.
Page 340 - Ray County
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD of Clay, Ray, Carroll, Chariton and Linn Counties, Missouri
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