BIOGRAPHIES: Paul ACKLEY, Pigeon Township, Trempealeau Co., WI

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Paul Ackley.  Among the leading agriculturists of Pigeon Township is the 
subject of this sketch, who is proprietor of two good farms, aggregating 360 
acres.  Mr. Ackley was born in Gulsbrandalen, Norway, Feb. 4, 1860.  His 
father, Franz Anderson Ackley, who was a farmer, died in Norway in 1890 at 
the age of 75 years.  Mr. Ackley's mother, whose maiden name was Karen 
Harralsdatter, died in the same year as her husband, at the age of 75.  Paul 
Ackley on attaining his majority in 1881 said farewell to his native land and 
took passage for the United States.  Following the example of many of his 
countrymen who had preceded him, he decided to make his home in the great 
Northwest, and first located in Swift County, Minn., where for two years he 
worked out for others.  Then going to Eau Claire County, he spent eight years 
there working in a sawmill and in the woods.  The next two years of his life 
were spent in Tacoma, Wash., after which he returned to Wisconsin and resided 
in Eau Claire five years, being engaged in the saw mill business.  In the fall 
of 1894 Mr. Ackley began agricultural operations in Pigeon township, buying 
the property now known as Ackley's farm, and which contains 160 acres, 120 of 
which are located in the northwest quarter of section 12, and 40 acres in the 
southeast quarter of section 11.  Here Mr. Ackley took up his residence and 
cultivated the farm until 1910.  He then purchased the Tuff farm of 200 acres, 
160 acres lying in the southeast quarter of section 12 and the other 40 in the 
northeast quarter of section 11.  On this latter farm he now makes his residence.  
The houses on both farms are substantial two-story buildings, neat-looking and 
commodious, and the farms are well improved, all the buildings being kept in 
good condition.  Both are operated profitably by Mr. Ackley, who is an 
experienced agriculturist and whose energy and perseverance, combined with thrift 
and good business foresight, have placed him among the substantial and well-to-do 
citizens of Pigeon Township.  He has ben treasurer of the school board for 13 
years and has always taken a keen interest in all projects for the good of the 
community in which he lives.  Aside from his interest in the two farms mentioned, 
he is a stockholder in the Pigeon Grain & Stock Company and the Whitehall Hospital.  
Mr. Ackley was married April 17, 1891, to Maria Tuff, who was born at Haalen, 
Norway, July 1, 1861, her father being Ole Tuff and her mother, in maidenhood, Anna 
Stean Johnson.  The father, who was born in Norway, came to America in October, 
1861, settling in LaFayette County, Wisconsin, where, however, he lived but a short
time, removing to Blair County, where also his residence was brief.  Coming from 
Blair to Trempealeau County, he bought the farm known as the Tuff farm, now owned 
by Mr. Ackley, and resided on it until it was purchased by Mr. Ackley.  Since then 
he has retired and resides in Blair.  His wife Anna died in 1904 at the age of 70 
years.  Mr. and Mrs. Ackley are the parents of five children:  Olaf F., who is a 
member of the Engineering Corps, now located at Fort Snelling, while Clara, Palmer, 
Melvin and Selmer reside at home.  The family are members of the Norwegian Lutheran 
Church.


-Transcribed from the "History of Trempealeau County Wisconsin, 1917",
pages 447 - 448