Son of Mathias and Magdalena (Hoffman) Ackels. Husband of Augusta

Paul Ackels

Apr 20, 1844 - 1895

[From the 1891 Biographical History of Pottawattamie County, Iowa, p.689]

PAUL ACKELS is one of our substantial German-American citizens and one of the early settlers and promoters of this town, who by industry and energy has made a place of honor for themselves, as well as assisted to promote the business enterprises of Avoca, Iowa. He was born in the beautiful Province of Rhine, Germany, son of Malt Ackels, who was a farmer of that province and the father of four sons: Joseph, John, Paul and Malt. The father is in comfortable circumstances and has reached the age of 90 years. He served three years in the regular Prussian army and was also in the rebellion of 1848 as a soldier for the Government. He is a man of remarkable constitution and of great strength of character, and this robust constitution his son, our subject, has inherited to a great degree. The strong and sturdy sires of the old country have given to their sons, the voyagers to the new world, that vitality and character which are making them leaders in the West. Paul Ackels was born April 20, 1844 and, as all Prussians are obliged by law to learn a trade, he chose that of tailor which he completed in a very thorough manner in France, that country which for so many years was the emporium of fashion for the world. Mr Ackels remained in the old country until the age of 29 years when, in 1873, he came to America landing in New York city in the early part of May. His brother, Malt, was a farmer in this country, and he naturally came direct to Avoca and after spending a few months working at his trade in Council Bluffs, he came to this city and established himself in business as a merchant tailor. In 1876 he went into the clothing business and has ever since been the leading clothier in the city. He married Miss Augusta Fincks in 1876. In his political opinion, he is a stanch Republical and socially a member of the Knights of Pythias and of the Catholic Church. He is a man of liberal ideas and has by industry and economy accumulated handsome property, owning real estate in this town and also in Nebraska. He is well known for his integrity of character and his honor as a merchant is established. Coming from a foreign country and unable to speak our language, he deserved great credit for the manly way in which he has overcome every difficulty and won success by his own unaided and laborious efforts.