Submitted by Belinda Winston
Contributing Researchers: George and Peggy Ackerman
From the Cleveland County Herold, Rison, Arkansas
April 24, 1913
DR. T.H. ACKERMAN
Our citizens were grieved to hear of the death of Dr. T. H. Ackerman,
which occured in Pine Bluff Tuesday afternoon about 3 o'clock. At noon he,
in company with his son, Mr. Leland Ackerman, and Drs. Jordan and Hughes
left Rison to go to the Davis hospital where it was hoped something could
be done to prolong Dr. Ackerman's life. Within three hours a message came
telling of his death. For more than two years Dr. Ackerman has suffered from
a heart affection and from Brights disease. His death would doubtless have
come sooner had he not had careful and skillful attention. He wanted to go
away again for treatment and so greatly did he desire this that her overcame
the opposition of his family and the attending physicians. His earnest purpose
was to live, and his slightest action or inaction served the one great
aim.
"Even death stands still, And waits an hour, sometimes, For such
a will."
Careful and loving hands ministered unto him and the end came peacefull.
He was with his son whom he loved better than life itself, and of whom,
he said "I am not afraid to go to sleep, while Leland holds my hand."
His children and other relatives were summonded and to night a mound, flower
covered, made with the hands of Masonic brethern, an order to which he was
devoted, and under the ceremonies of whose burial ritual he was laid to rest,
holds the mortal remains of another one of our leading citizens.
"I cannot say and will not say That he is dead. He is just away!
And you--oh you, who the wildest yearn
For the old time stept and the glad return
Think of him still the same, I say He is not dead--he is just away.
The funeral services were conducted by Rev. W.F. Rogers and Rev. J.H.W. Overton.
Dr. Ackerman was born in Galatin, Tenn., in 1851. He attended
Vanderbilt in 1883-4 and in the fall of 1884 came to Arkansas forming a
partnership with Dr. C. A. Standfild at Toledo, for the practice of medicine.
In 1885 he was married to Mrs. M. C. Ingram who survives him. Three
sons were born, two of whom are dead. The other L.C. Ackerman is twenty-one
years of age. Besides this son, he leaves one daughter, Mrs. Blanch Newsome,
of Nashville, T.H. of Dallas and W.H. Ackerman of Nashville, Tenn. In
1891 Dr. Ackerman moved to Rison to the place where the family now lives.
He indentified himself with the progressive citizens and was interested
in the development of his town, his county and his state. He has not
practiced much during the last few years. About fiteen years ago he
established the Rison Drug, Co. and built up a fine business. At the
time of his death he had just completed the new Phoenix Hotel. He was
a lover of home and his church, a kind and thoughtful neighbor, a conservative
businessman, a devoted husband and father. The charm of his personality,
the kindness and geniality of his manner were irresistable. In the
relation of life he proved true.
Peace to his ashes.
"Death is Crown of life;
were death denied, poor man would live in vain;
Death wounds to cure; we fall, we rise, we resign;
Spring from our fetters, fasten to the skies;
Where blooming Eden withers from our sight,
This king of terrors in the Prince of Peace.
Genealogist's Companion to Research in Sumner
County, Tennessee