Larimer County, History of Colorado, BIOS: AKIN, Harris (published 1918)
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"History of Colorado", edited by Wilbur Fisk Stone, published by The S. J. 
Clarke Publishing Co. (1918)  Vol. II


p. 395-396



HARRIS AKIN.

	Harris Akin, one of the county commissioners of Larimer county 
and the owner of a valuable farm property not far from Fort Collins, 
was born in Lockport, Illinois, July 7, 1859, a son of Henry and Eunice 
(Harris) Akin, who were natives of the Empire state. The father 
followed farming in Illinois, to which state he removed in 1841, 
driving across the country from Syracuse, New York. He bought canal 
script and located near Lockport, Illinois, where he improved a farm 
which he continued to further develop and cultivate until April, 1879, 
when he came to Colorado, making his way to Larimer county, where he 
took up a homestead southwest of Fort Collins. Not a furrow had been 
turned nor an improvement made upon the place but with characteristic 
energy he began to break the sod and till the fields and in course of 
time was gathering good harvests. He continued to engage in general 
agricultural pursuits thereon throughout his remaining days, his death 
occurring in March, 1907. For a decade he had survived his wife, who 
died in February, 1897. There were ten children in the family, and 
because he was so greatly needed for their support Mr. Aikin was exempt 
from active service during the Civil war but bought horses for the 
government. 

	Harris Akin was reared at Lockport, Illinois, where he pursued 
his education, mastering the work of the grades and of the high school. 
He pursued his high school course at Hoopeston, Illinois, where he was 
graduated in 1879. After the removal of the family to Colorado he 
attended the State University at Boulder in 1880 and 1881 and then 
began farming on the old homestead in partnership with his father and 
brothers. They also had a stock ranch in the mountains for two years. 
Later Mr. Akin of this review took the stock ranch, which he carried on 
for two years and on the expiration of that period he turned his 
attention to the real estate and insurance business in Fort Collins, in 
which he was engaged for five years. He next purchased a farm six and a 
half miles northeast of the city, comprising tour hundred acres, which 
he has brought into fine shape. He has made many excellent improvements 
upon it, rendering it one of the attractive properties of Larimer 
county, and it has claimed his time and attention throughout the 
intervening period. He makes a specialty of feeding sheep and he is 
practical and progressive in all that he undertakes in connection with 
the development of the fields or the care of his flocks.

	On the 7th of January, 1885, Mr. Akin married Miss Laura E. 
Stickle, who was born in Golden, Colorado, May 23, 1862, and is now one 
of the oldest native daughters of the state. Her parents were James and 
Matilda (Davis) Stickle, natives of Illinois, who came to Colorado in 
1860 and took up land. Mr. Stickle engaged in farming for five years 
but his crops were destroyed by grasshoppers for three consecutive 
seasons. He later bought land at Arvada, which he owned until his 
death. In 1878 he entered the employ of the Colorado & Southern 
Railroad as an engineer and remained with that company for twenty 
years. He died in August, 1914, while his wife passed away in 1878. Mr. 
and Mrs. Akin became parents of three children; Victor H., born 
February 21, 1886, and now farming near his father's place; Helen B., 
who was born May 18, 1888, and died June 6, 1900; and Howard S., who 
was born June 24, 1891, and is farming on the old homestead.

	 Mr. Akin was elected county commissioner on the 7th of November, 
1914, and has since occupied that position. He was first elected to 
fill a vacancy and was reelected in 1916. He has always given his 
political allegiance to the republican party and his religious faith is 
that of the Methodist Episcopal church. High and honorable principles 
have guided him in all of the relations of life and he enjoys the 
respect and confidence of his fellowmen in an unusual degree. He has 
made an excellent record in business by the prompt, careful and 
systematic manner in which he has conducted his affairs and he has 
brought the same splendid qualities to bear in the discharge of his 
official duties.