Will County IL Archives Biographies.....Akin, Edward Howard 1815 - ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/il/ilfiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Deb Haines ddhaines@gmail.com May 9, 2007, 12:10 am Author: Portrait & Bio Album, 1890 EDWARD HOWARD AKIN. This name will be remembered by the older residents of Will County as belonging to one of its most prominent citizens and successful men. He was born in Johnstown, N.Y., July 3, 1815, and departed this life at his home, in Joliet, December 26, 1880. He was the offspring of a good old family, being the son of Abraham and the grandson of Edward Akin, the former of whom spent his last years in Lockport, Will County, Ill. The mother of our subject bore the maiden name of Asenath Matthews. When his son was but a boy, Abraham Akin removed with his family to Onondaga County, N. Y., and purchased a farm of five hundred acres near Syracuse, upon which he settled, and where Edward H. grew to manhood. The latter when twenty-one years old left the farm and entered a store at Liverpool, N. Y. This movement was the result of a long mental conflict under the conviction that he was fitted for something better in life than labor in the field. He laid down his hoe one day and told his mother that if he could make his living in some other way he would never hoe another row of corn. The parents of our subject remained on the farm in New York State as long as the father was able to engage in active labor. They then came to this county, and the father died three years later, in Lockport, in 1846. The mother died July 28, 1872, at the same place. Mr. Akin, of whom we write, putting his resolve into execution, entered a store in Liverpool, N. Y., where he began his mercantile career. Later, in company with his father, under the firm name of Akin & Son, he carried on general merchandising at Liverpool, N. Y. He also engaged in the manufacture of salt at Liverpool, and continued a resident of Onondaga County, N. Y., until removing to Berrien County, Mich., in the fall of 1847. Later, he went to Chicago with his family, and there his eldest son, John, was born. On account of the breaking out of cholera, he left Chicago and returned to the residence of his parents in Lockport, Ill. In April, 1850, Mr. Akin, in company with a party from Lockport, crossed the plains to California, driving mules and oxen, and arrived at his destination after a three months' journey. He occupied himself at mining successfully along the Yuba River, also at Placerville and Sacramento. Returning to Lockport in October, 1851, he purchased his mother's farm. In 1854 he removed to Joliet and established a stave manufactory and cooper shop. This enterprise proved successful and gave employment to twenty men continually until 1861. For six years afterward Mr. Akin engaged in the manufacture of flour at Hennepin. He returned to Joliet in 1867 and, in company with others, carried on a woolen mill, of which he was Superintendent. He subsequently embarked in the real-estate business and followed this until his death, which occurred December 26, 1880. Mr. Akin laid out the subdivision, of which he was owner, which is now called Brooklyn, and erected the Akin Block in 1877. He was regarded as an enterprising business man and contributed his full share toward the growth of his adopted city. He was a Mason in good standing, having attained to the Knight Templar degree, and in politics he was an ardent Republican. He regularly attended the Central Presbyterian Church, of which he was a supporter, and also a Trustee during the later years of his life. He was one of the founders of the People's Loan & Homestead Association, of which he was also a Director, and one of the Directors of Oakwood Cemetery. He was likewise Treasurer of two Masonic bodies. Mr. Akin was married June 10, 1840, in Cortland, N. Y., to Miss Sophronia C. Merrill. This lady was born September 18, 1818, and is the daughter of Abel and Charlotte (Curtis) Merrill, who spent their last years in New York State. Her father died when Mrs. Akin was only three years old. The four children born of this union are all living. Charlotte was born September 3, 1842, at Liverpool, N. Y., and resides with her mother in Joliet; Lucy H., who was born in Liverpool, June 18, 1846, also resides with her mother; John J., born August 26, 1848, married Maargareta S. Miller, of Philadelphia, Pa., is Secretary and Treasurer of the Cable Company owned by the Chicago Syndicate, and makes his headquarters at Los Angeles, Cal.; Edward C. married Louise, daughter of the late Judge Josiah McRoberts, is State's Attorney for Will County and is a resident of the city of Joliet. He read law under the instruction of George S. House, was admitted to the bar and is one of the most successful practitioners in the county. Mrs. Akin has been a member of the Presbyterian Church since 1835, and since 1854 of the Central Presbyterian branch. She is a lady greatly respected in her community and enjoys the friendship and acquaintance of its best people. We clip the following, in regard to Mr. Akin, from the Joliet Republican: "Both in public and private life Mr. Akin was held in high respect and admiration. As a husband, none were more loving and kind. As a father, he trained his children to be men and women of the world, and able to fill their parts in the play of life. As a citizen, Mr. Akin has left a bright and honorable record, and yet, though he has passed from among us, he left behind his better part—the legacy of his honorable example." Additional Comments: Portrait and Biographical Album of Will County, Illinois, Containing Full Page Portraits and Biographical Sketches of Prominent and Representative Citizens of the County; Chicago: Chapman Bros., 1890 File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/il/will/bios/akin1493nbs.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.net/ilfiles/ File size: 6.1 Kb