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History of the Mohawk Valley: Gateway to the West 1614-1925
Charles August Ackerknecht

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[This information is from Vol. III, pp. 179-180 of History of the Mohawk Valley: Gateway to the West 1614-1925, edited by Nelson Greene (Chicago: The S. J. Clarke Publishing Company, 1925). It is in the Schenectady Reference collection of the Schenectady County Public Library at Schdy R 974.7 G81h. This online edition includes lists of portraits, maps and illustrations. As noted by Paul Keesler in his article, "The Much Maligned Mr. Greene," some information in this book has been superseded by later research or was provided incorrectly by local sources.]

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Charles August Ackerknecht, who built the business block which he occupies, is well known as the proprietor of the finest and most up-to-date meat market in Utica, located at No. 808 Charlotte street. Born in Worms, Germany, on the 31st of December, 1873, he came alone to the United States in 1889, when a youth of sixteen. After a few months' residence in New York city he made his way to Utica and here secured employment at the butchering trade, which he had learned in his native country. He spent two years in the service of the Utica Packing Company, which is now out of existence, and subsequently worked for a similar period in the meat market of Henry Lux & Sons, while later he was employed for two years by Christian Liess, who also conducted a meat market. Ambitious to embark in business on his own account, he had carefully saved his earnings toward that end, and when he felt that his capital and experience justified him in starting upon an independent venture, he opened a market at the corner of Leah and Seymour streets in 1895. This he conducted for three years, on the expiration of which period he removed to Whitesboro, where he was associated with John Brimson in the operation of a meat market until 1906. During the three succeeding years Mr. Ackerknecht acted as meat inspector for the United States government in Brooklyn, thus adding to his already broad experience.

Following his return to Utica he represented the firm of Morris & Company as beef salesman for one year and in 1911 opened a meat market at the corner of Blandina and Charlotte streets, where success in large measure attended him. It was in 1921 that he erected the block which he now occupies. The Ackerknecht market is the finest in Utica, modern in all of its appointments. The proprietor has manufacturing facilities and also owns a refrigerating plant as well as cooling and storage plant. His present prosperity is directly attributable to hard work, untiring energy and indefatigable effort. Thorough reliability and courteous service to the public have been the other elements in his success.

On the 11th of March, 1895, Mr. Ackerknecht was united in marriage to Miss Sara Kohler, daughter of Christian Kohler of Utica. Mr. and Mrs. Ackerknecht have two children: Sadie, who was born on December 3, 1895, and who is now the wife of William A. Pitcher, who is associated in business with Mr. Ackerknecht; and Alice May, born June 30, 1898, who gave her hand in marriage to Mervin L. Todd, a real estate dealer of Utica.

Mr. Ackerknecht belongs to the Chamber of Commerce and the Rotary Club and is also a worthy exemplar of the teachings and purposes of the Masonic fraternity. His favorite form of recreation is manifest in his membership connection with the Rod and Gun Club. He has never had occasion to regret his determination to become an American citizen, for on this side of the Atlantic he has found the opportunities which he sought and through their wise utilization has gained both financial success and public esteem.

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