Fred Morris Ackerson was born June 6, 1866 to Charles F. Ackerson and Mary Jane Nellist Ackerson. Raised in the Town of Somerset, Niagara County, New York he attended the University of Buffalo Law School and had a long career as practicing attorney, Niagara County District Attorney, and judge on the New York State Court of Claims. In 1892 he married Evangeline Hotaling who died in 1905. They had one child, Leah, born December 4, 1893. In 1909 he married Elizabeth C. Vogt. They had three children: Mary Elizabeth, born July 17, 1910; Charles Frederick, born October 7, 1911; and Alda Katherine, born May 25, 1913. Leah Ackerson Handte, widow of New York violinist Frederick Handte, was a teacher at the Friends Academy in Locust Valley, Long Island, New York. Charles F. Ackerson married Jean Tothill and was a high school math teacher and civil engineer/surveyor in Olean, New York.

1837

Fred's father Charles Frederic Ackerson born

1843

Fred's mother Mary Jane Nellist Ackerson born

1866

Fred M. Ackerson born June 6, 1866, Town of Somerset, Niagara County, New York

[approximately 1873 - 1881]

Attended District Schools No. 8 and 16, Town of Somerset

1881-1882

Somerset Academic School, Somerset Corners

1883-1884

Yates Academy, Orleans County

1884-1889

Brockport Normal School, graduating in Classical Course

Principal and teacher at Somerset School Districts 2 and 15, 1887-1888

September 1889

Began clerking in the law offices of John E. and Cuthbert W. Pound

1890

Federal census enumerator, Town of Somerset

1890-1892

University of Buffalo Law School, Bachelor of Law degree

Admitted to the bar, June 1892

1892

Married Evangeline Hotaling on August 10, 1892, daughter of Doctor and Mrs. Irving W. Hotaling of Somerset, New York

1892-1894

Practiced law in Buffalo, New York with Judge William W. Hammond and Charles S. Hatch (Hammond, Hatch & Ackerson)

1893

Daughter Leah born December 4, 1893

1894-1915

Practiced law in Niagara Falls, New York [from 1900 to 1915 in partnership with Judge John O. Chapin]

1896

Elected Justice of the Peace, City of Niagara Falls

1899

Appointed to the City of Niagara Falls, Board of Education by Mayor Arthur C. Hastings

1902-1907

Assistant District Attorney, Niagara County

1904

Fred's father Charles Frederic Ackerson died October 28, 1904

1905

Evangeline Hotaling Ackerson died

1907

Elected District Attorney, Niagara County

1909

Married Elizabeth C. Vogt, daughter of Jacob B. and Mary S. Whitney Vogt, June 29, 1909

1910

Daughter Mary Elizabeth born July 17, 1910

Re-elected District Attorney, Niagara County

1911

Son Charles Frederick born October 7, 1911

1913

Re-elected District Attorney, Niagara County

Daughter Alda Katherine born May 25, 1913 (died 1924)

1915-1936

Appointed a judge on the New York Court of Claims, February 16, 1915, by Governor Charles S. Whitman.

Presiding Judge, 1916-1929

Retired December 31, 1936 because of age limit

1937

Fred's mother Mary J. Ackerson died October 3, 1937

1937-1940

Appointed Official Referee of the Court of Claims by the Justices of the Appellate Division, Supreme Court, Fourth Department, February 26, 1937

Designated Acting Judge of Court of Claims by presiding judge James J. Barrett, March 1937

Retired due to health, September 30, 1940

1956

Fred M. Ackerson died December 28, 1956

1968

Elizabeth V. Ackerson (Fred's 2nd wife) died November 29, 1968

1996

Son Charles F. Ackerson died April 10, 1996