Throughout practically his entire life William Wellborn Acklam has been a resident of Racine County and from the age of fifteen years has been dependent upon his own resources, being therefore a self-made man. He was born July 27, 1854, of the marriage of George and Harriett (Bean) Acklam, and in his youthful days attended the common schools of Racine and afterward the district schools of Mount Pleasant Township, but his textbooks were put aside when he reached the age of fifteen and he started out in business on his own account. For two years he worked in the lumber woods of northern Wisconsin and at different periods was employed at various places in Wisconsin. Later he went to Sac County, Iowa, driving a team from Corliss, this state, across the plains. After two years there passed he returned and has since continuously lived in Racine County. For fourteen years he engaged in teaming in Racine. at the end of which time he purchased thirteen and one-half acres of land on section 25, Mount Pleasant Township, and has made his home thereon continuously since, his labors being devoted to the further development and improvement of the property.
On the 10th of July, 1888, Mr. Acklam was married to Miss Katherine Aszmus, a daughter of Frederick and Katherine (Rice) Aszmus, the former a native of France and the latter of Germany. Her parents came to the United States about 1828 and were married in New York city, where they remained for twenty-two years. Subsequently they became residents of Dayton, Ohio, where the father conducted the first repair shop of that place. In 1876 he removed with his family to Indiana, where he resided for two years and on the expiration of that period came to Racine, being employed in the Racine Wagon Works. He afterward spent eleven years in the Mitchell Wagon Works and thus led a life of usefulness and untiring activity. He died in the year 1892, while his wife survived until 1896 and was laid to rest by his side in Mound cemetery. To Mr. and Mrs. William Acklam were born eleven children, as follows: Harry, who is deceased; Jesse, who wedded Miss Marie Petersen and resides in Racine; Martha, who died in infancy; Roy, a resident of Racine; Ida, who gave her hand in marriage to Carl Herring; Sadie, the wife of Harvey Krinkey; and Florence, Ira, William, Ruth and Loretta, all at home.
Politically Mr. Acklam is a republican but at local elections votes independently, regarding only the capability of the candidate. He belongs to the Baptist church and his life is guided by its teachings. He represents one of the old families of the .County and for more than six decades he has been a witness of the development and progress of this section of the state. He has ever been deeply interested in the work of improvement here and his labors have brought good results.
