In 1987, Barbara K. Adams, Library Media Center librarian, and John Troughton, Physical Education teacher, of Irene H. King Elementary School in Valley View Public Schools Community Unit District 365U, asked Eileen Ward, a retired teacher of the district to write down some of the history and her memories of teaching 48 years, her entire teaching career, in the district. The following are the result.
William H. Acker, a distinguished farmer in Amboy Township, exemplifies success through his well-maintained farm and evident prosperity. Born in New York in 1832, Acker moved to Indiana before settling in Illinois, where he has significantly contributed to his community since 1871. Married to Mary Calkins, the couple has two surviving children, reflecting a family life marked by both joy and sorrow. Acker’s commitment to education and politics, serving on the School Board and as an active Republican, highlights his dedication to civic engagement. His and his wife’s family backgrounds, rooted in early American states, trace a journey of perseverance and community building.