Samuel Platt Ackerman was born Aug 26, 1857 in Douglas county and from the time he was nine years old until he was twenty he resided in Tuscola. He came to Decatur about 1877 and for a time worked for the Morning Herald, soon afterward going to the Review, then owned by S.S. Jack. In 1866, he and Charles T. Powner of Harristown and Mr. Groves started a job office under the name of Powner, Ackerman & Co., which was soon changed to Our Country and Village Schools Publishing company. Burgess and Trainer then bought out the interest of Powner and Groves and the firm became Burgess, Trainer & Co. being composed of G.A. Burgess, John Trainer, S.P. Ackermand and Frank Trainer. Then after a short time the firm name was again changed, this time to the Decatur Printing Co., Mr. Ackerman still retaining his interest. Later Mr. Ackerman disposed of his interest to Mr. Burgess, the plant was moved to Monticello and Mr. Ackerman returned to his old position of foreman with the Review job printing department, which position he held until his final illness. On June 6, 1880, he married Miss Nettie E. Wheeler of Tuscola, who with two children, Nellie, age 15, and Mark, age 13, survive. He also leaves a mother, a sister, Mrs. James Tullis, three brothers, Nelson and Alauson of this city and Edward M. Ackerman of Pensacola, Fl. He was well known to all the businessmen of Decatur, there being very few who have been in business here for any length of time who were not acquainted with him. He was recognized as one of the best job printers. He made friends readily and his death is regretted by all.Mr. Ackerman was a member of the Decatur Typographical union and the Modern Woodsmen of American and those organizations will attend the funeral in a body. Mr. Ackerman had been a sufferer of rheumatism for many years. His last severe illness extended over a period of eight weeks. His sufferings were terrible and death came a a blessed relief. His mind was perfectly clear until the very last. His death has been expected almost daily for two weeks. He battled hard for life and did not seem to realize fully that he had to die until the very last.

Decatur, IL Review March 20, 1897 p2

Husband of Nerissa E "Nettie" Wheeler Ackerman
Married 26 May 1880 in Douglas Co, Illinois
Father of Helen Moore "Nellie" nee Ackerman Springer
and Mark Lee Ackerman