Blacksmith John Acker (1852-1919) was born Jun. 22, 1852 in Rogaland fylke, Norway and emigrated with his wife Bertha Karine Kolbeinsdatter Acker (1851-1916) from Norway in 1881. They raised a large family in their house at 757 Cook Ave. John died in St. Paul on February 10, 1919.

Most of the workers who constructed the Minnesota Capitol belonged to unions. A specific union affiliation has not been found for this particular worker, though other Capitol blacksmiths were organized in St. Paul at the time the Capitol was built, so it's probable he was a union member.

Entry from Angels All Around Us:

John S. Acker's birth name was Soren Johan Anensen to parents Anen Knutsen Akra and Anna Marta Sivertsdatter. Soren (John) married Bertha Karine Kolbeinsdatter on June 20, 1874 in Avadsness, Rogaland, Norway. He and Bertha and their first born son, Oscar Martinius (Sorensen) Acker, emigrated to the United States in 1881, according to the 1900 U.S. Census. Four more sons of John and Bertha were born in Minnesota. The Acker name may have come from the town of Akra, Karmoy Island, Norway where the family lived in Norway. It is not clear when the family name changed to Acker, but perhaps it was upon entering the U.S.

John was a Blacksmith and was one of many workers who helped construct the building of the Lock and Dam #2 on the Mississippi River in Minneapolis, MN from 1901-03. (Source: U.S. War Dept. records, 1901 & 1903)

Family links:
Spouse:
Bertha Karine Kolbeinsdatter Acker (1851 - 1916)

Children:
Oscar Martinus Acker (1874 - 1933)*
Hans John Acker (1880 - 1924)*
Charles John Acker (1887 - 1968)*
Walter E. Acker (1892 - 1944)*
Arthur William Acker (1894 - 1962)*

*Calculated relationship

Burial:
Forest Lawn Memorial Park
Maplewood
Ramsey County
Minnesota, USA
Plot: Block 26, Plat 4, Lot 203, Grave 2

Created by: Angels All Around Us
Record added: Nov 17, 2015
Find A Grave Memorial# 155110261