Lemuel Mahlon Ackley (1857 - 1921)

Born 22 Nov 1857 in Pennsylvania, USA

Died 29 Jul 1921 at age 63 in Chicago, Cook County, Illinois, USA

Murdered.

Biography

SERGEANT KELLOGG SLAY A ATTORNEY L.F. ACKLEY

Land Feud Cause of a fatal Shooting and Attempted Suicide of Heights Man

Sergt. Harry D. Kellogg, of Arlington Heights, fatally wounded Attorney Lemuel F. Ackley, also an Arlington Heights resident until last May, in the crowded courtroom of Judge C.A. McDonald last Friday and then shot himself. Mr. Ackley died an hour later. Mr. Kellogg will probably live. He shot himself in the neck, the bullet passed up and out of one eye, the sight of which he will lose.

The shooting culminated fourteen years feud, caused by a dispute over the ownership of several acres of lane at Arlington Heights and upon which Mr. Kellogg had moved a house. The disagreement has been featured by legal wrangles, evictions, and threats.

Mr. Ackley recently secured an evictment order, which was enforced by deputy sheriff Fred Lorenzen. Mr. Kellogg endeavered to reposes the property and was therefore declared in contempt of court. The case has been carried through many courts.

Attorney Ackley was bending over the clerks desk to get a commitment order. Kellogg arose from the witness table and walked toward him.

Standing two feet behind the lawyer he drew his police revolver and fired. The first bullet struck the lawyer in the back and he slumped forward over the railing before the bench. Although at least 70 persons, half of them women were in the room, there was no sound but the revolver reports. After firing two more bullets into the lawyers body, the policeman moved back to his chair and seated himself.

Trembling, he raised the revolver to his own head. He fired once, then leaped out of the chair, his fingers still convulsively pulling the trigger, two more bullets went wild, one striking the wall back of the bench and the other breaking a window at the rear of the courtroom. The revolver was still clicking when he fell in front of the jury box. Sons and other relative both men were in the courtroom.

In the midst of the confusion deputy sheriffs and coroners physicians arrived. Coroners chemist W.D. McNelly gave both men first aid. The policeman was still conscious. Police ambulances were summoned and the wounded men were carried away, the lawyer to St. Luke's hospital , where he died an hour later. Kellogg was taken to the County hospital, where it is said that he will live.

The feud originated in 1907 when Mrs. Selena A. Barto, Attorney Ackley's sister, allowed tax payments to lapse on the property, situated at Arlington Heights and now worth about $4,500. Sergeant Kellogg purchased the title at a tax sale and nine years ago Attorney Ackley sued on behalf of his sister for recovery.

17:17, 7 February 2018 (EST)17:17, 7 February 2018 (EST)17:17, 7 February 2018 (EST)17:17, 7 February 2018 (EST) Mr. Ackley was for over three years a quiet law-abiding citizen of Arlington Heights. In that time, the always a hard working busy man, he had a kind cherry word for all who knew him. he came here to look after the property of his sister, Mrs. Barto, who bought the place from the original owner, Mrs. Sisson, well known here. As to the merits of the claims, the courts from the lowest to the highest confirmed his rights. We will not discuss that here. The murderous attack on his family, when acting under the law, and their shocking treatment will be dealt with elsewhere.

Lemuel F. Ackley was the youngest child and only son in a family of five children, four sisters, three now living. he was sent to college in the east and afterwards took a course in law and training to journalism.

Coming to Chicago in his early twenties he married a widow with a son and daughter, who regarded him as a loving devoted father. He ever regarded them as his own and by his name they have lived. His eldest daughter, Mrs. Harold Kuhlber spent a season with her father in the Heights, while her husband was overseas and here his other children and Mrs. Ackley often came, especially Miss Laura, who with her brother, Herbert liked to have Sunday dinners with "Daddy" and Lila at what they playfully called the "Mahogany palace". Lemuel, the youngest, lived most of the time with his father here.

Mr. Ackley was a faithful attendant at church services. His pastor here, Rev. Jenkinson touchingly paid tribute to his generous, kindly spirit and for all he had been and meant to him and to the church. He never spoke harshly or unkindly of anyone and had only charity for the one who slew him. He was a devoted indulgent father, denying himself to be for his children.

Mr. Ackley took hearty interest in village affairs and went to great trouble to attend all elections and to vote for all improvements. he was the sort of man Arlington Heights can ill afford to lose.

The funeral was held at his home in Chicago, Tuesday, Rev. Jenkinson conducting the service. Burial at Rose Hill. Flowers and resolutions of sympathy were sent by the Men's Bible Class. Words of grief and sympathy are heard on all sides for the stricken family.

These few facts are given us by one who has known Mr. Ackley and his sisters many years.

Cook County Herald (Arlington Heights, Illinois) August 5 1921

Sources

• https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/174351747/lemuel-mahlon-ackley