R. J. Ackley, "Farmer and Co-op Philosopher" Dies (published in the Cooperative Consumer newspaper, Vol. 25, No. 21, Dated November 15, 1958.)

R. J. Ackley, ‘Farmer and Co-op Philosopher,' Dies

Robert J. Ackley, a man who staunchly served his fellow man, died at a hospital in Garden City, Kansas on November 3, 1958 following a brief illness.  He was 85.  Funeral services took place at the Garden City Methodist Church on November 6^th.

Ackley was one of the first directors of Consumers Cooperative Association.  He served on the board for 28 years, retiring in 1956, at which time the board made him an honorary lifetime member.

He helped to organize the Garden City Cooperative Equity Exchange in 1915, helped to guide it through its early struggles, and served continuously on its board until he retired in 1958.  At its annual meeting this year, the Co-op honored him as a "farmer, stockman, and co-op philosopher."

In a brief biographical sketch in 1946, he wrote: "My hobby is to give every man, woman, and child a fair, square deal regardless of race, creed, or color."

On Feb. 22, 1958, Mr. and Mrs. Ackley celebrated their 60^th wedding anniversary.  They reared two children - a son, Floyd E. Ackley, and an orphaned boy, Edgar Milton Anderson.

Ackley was born at Winchester, Kansas, near Leavenworth, on Oct. 10, 1873.  He taught school, kept store (co-op), and engaged on several occasions in private business ventures in addition to farming and livestock raising.  For many years, he kept a herd of purebred Shorthorn cattle.

Ackley met his future wife, Delia Mae Grable, at Effingham, Kansas, where they were married and farmed for several years.  They moved to Garden City, Kansas in 1906.

Among his other activities, Ackley served many years as a Director of National Cooperative Refinery Association at McPherson, Kansas and of the Farmers Commission company, a grain terminal co-op, at Hutchinson, Kansas.

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