Polk County, Missouri Biographies - James J. AKARD, Capt.
History Of Hickory, Polk, Cedar, Dade And Barton Counties, 
Missouri 1889, published by Goodspeed, page 618 
Polk County Biography Section

    Capt. James J. Akard, clerk of the county court of Polk
County, was born July 7, 1838, near Fair Play, this county.
His parents, Joseph and Keziah (Dunnegan) Akard, were natives
of Middle Tennessee, but were married in Missouri.  Having
emigrated to the latter State in 1833, they located near where
Fair Play now is, being among the first settlers of that section
and having but few neighbors, and those from ten to fifteen miles
apart.  The father was a plain farmer, in politics a Democrat,
and died in 1846, leaving his widow, who died in 1885 at the age
of sixty-eight.  In this family there were five children, of whom
two are now living.  James J., the oldest child and subject of
this sketch, was raised on his father's farm and received his 
education in subscription schools held in the old-time log
schoolhouses.  In July, 1861, he enlisted in Company A, Fifteenth
Reserve Corps, being commissioned first lieutenant.  In December
he was transferred to Company A, Eighth Missouri State Militia 
Cavalry, and in May, 1863, was promoted to the captaincy of his
company, and held that position till his discharge, January 25,
1865.  In October, 1864, while skirmishing around Jefferson City,
he received a musket ball in his right hip, which he now carries.
In 1866 he was elected to the State Legislature, and held the
position two terms, having also held important county offices;
he was sheriff from 1876 to 1878; collector from 1878 to 1880, 
and has ably discharged his duties as clerk of the county court
from 1886 to the present time.  Captain Akard married Miss
Adaline Akard, a native of this county, by whom he has had two
children: Ella May and Dellie E.  Mrs. Akard is a member of the
Baptist Church.  Capt. Akard has taken the Knight Templar degree
in the Masonic order, is a member of the G.A.R., and, politically,
is a stanch Republican.  In connection with official duties, he
is also interested in farming, owning a large farm adjoining
Bolivar.  He has been a well known resident of this county for
fifty years, and the respect shown him is as wide as his 
acquaintance.


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