John B. Ackley was born March 26, 1845 in Ohio. He was one of nine children born to George and Sarah Ackley. According to the 1850 U.S. Census the family resided in Thompson Township, Delaware County, Ohio.
On August 21, 1862 Ackley enlisted in the 22nd Iowa Infantry, Company B at Iowa City, Johnson County, Iowa. He was mustered into service on August 30, 1862 as a Private. He served in the Union Army for three years and mustered out of service on July 25, 1865 at Savannah, Chatham County, Georgia. He was discharged at Davenport, Scott County, Iowa on August 5, 1865. As a member of the 22nd Iowa Infantry, Ackley likely participated in the Battle of Vicksburg, the Third Battle of Winchester, and the Battle of Cedar Creek.
After the war, John married Sarah A. Bowden in Johnson County, Iowa on July 16, 1867. Together they had four children. John, Sarah and their children are listed as residents of Republic, Cuba County in the 1885 Kansas Census. John’s occupation is listed as a stone mason. By 1900 John and Sarah had settled in Olympia, Thurston County in Washington State. U.S. Bureau of Land Management Records indicate that in 1907 Ackley homesteaded 160 acres in Klickitat County, Washington. He homesteaded an additional 160 acres in Klickitat County in 1909. By 1910 Ackley and his wife Sarah were living in Clackamas County, Oregon according to the U.S. Census. Sarah Ackley died in Oregon in 1921.
John Ackley was an active member of the Grand Army of the Republic. He joined the George H. Thomas Post No. 5 of the GAR in Olympia, Washington on November 3, 1900. He attended the Oregon Department Encampment of the GAR in Hood River, Hood River County, Oregon in 1904. He was later involved in the establishment of the J. R. Warner Post No. 117 in 1905 in White Salmon, Klickitat County, Washington, serving as the Post’s first Senior Vice Commander.
In August of 1923 Ackley was admitted to the U.S. National Home for Disabled Volunteer Soldiers at Roseburg, Douglas County, Oregon. At his own request he was discharged on June 2, 1925. On September 10, 1924 John married Addie Symes in Roseburg, Oregon. They later made Gladstone, Oregon their home. John Ackley died September 20, 1933 in Gladstone and is buried next to his first wife Sarah at West Klickitat Cemetery District No. 1 in White Salmon, Washington.
Information about his grave can be found here.