FRANK D. ACKER, Bradford, Pennsylvania.
In 1888 Mr. C. V. Merrick was made superintendent at Bradford and the Bradford Branch, then a part of the Western Division, was made the Bradford Division, and the men were given their choice of coming on the new division or staying on the Western Division. So many chose the latter that there were not enough left to equip the new division, and for the first time the officers of the Erie were forced for once to forego their policy of obtaining all their engineers by promotion from the ranks of firemen, and hired some. Mr. Acker was one of the number who remained on the Bradford Division, and he stands high in the estimation of his superiors.

He was born in New Woodstock, Madison County, New York, September 12, 1859, and attended school there until 1873, when his family moved to Hornellsville, New York, where he went to work for Hon. Harlo Hakes as teamster, and worked for him until 1882. He then secured a position as fireman on the Western Division of the Erie, and fired until January, 1886, when he was promoted.

Mr. Acker was married June 13, 1880, to Miss Libbie Ludwig of Grove, Allegany County, New York. Four children have been born to them, two of whom survive, Archie F., aged 17, and Helen Shay, aged 4 years. Mr. Acker is a man of fine appearance, being six feet tall and weighing 225 pounds. He is a member of Division 280, B. of L. E.

Excerpted from: "American Locomotive Engineers, Erie Railway Edition," H.R. Romans Editor; Crawford-Adsit Company Publishers, Chicago, IL 1899.

From the June, 1928 issue of Erie Railroad Magazine:
Five veteran Erie employees were retired from active service with special allowances last month. They are (engineers) Ira Jones and Matthew Dewey, of Hornell, and William H. Hurd of Olean, Allegany Division; Andrew Showerman, train baggage agent on the Buffalo Division; and F.D. Acker of Bradford, PA, engineer on the Bradford Division.

Matthew Dewey has a service record of 58 years. "Mat" has been engaged for the last few years in switch engine service in the Hornell yards. He is a close friend of John K. Chapman, who had a 73 year service record when he was retired a year ago.

Ira Jones has a 56 year service record, Mr. Hurd a 50 year record, Mr. Acker 47 years and Mr. Showerman service of 41 years.