Rev. Carl Ackerman, M.A., Ph.D.
Rev. Carl Ackerman, M.A., Ph. D., pastor of Zion's Evangelical Lutheran Church at Lima, and formerly president of Lima College, was born September 12, 1858, on a farm near Wooster, Wayne County, Ohio, and is a son of George Ackerman, for years a prominent contractor here.
Mr. Ackerman received his early education in the local country schools, attended the Clyde High School and then spent some time at Canaan Academy. In 1875 he entered the Capital University at Columbus, Ohio, where he was graduated with the degree of A. B. in 1879. He engaged in teaching until 1881, when he entered the theological department at the Capital University, where he was graduated in 1884. He was married in October, 1884, to Mary Reese, a daughter of Rush Reese a prominent farmer of Wayne County, Ohio. For the following nine years he served charges at Attica, Lithopolis, Fremont and Fostoria. In 1893 he came to Lima to accept the presidency of Lima College, which had just been organized. Mr. Ackerman has given the weight of his name and the fruits of his intellect to this institution ever since, continuing as its president until 1897. He remained dean of the faculty until 1903, when he resigned, but continues to hold the chairs of mathematics and mental science. In 1888 his alma mater conferred on him the degree of M. A., and in 1901 he was given the degree of Ph. D.
During his long association with Lima College he has been repeatedly offered positions of great honor in the church as the head of large and important churches, but his heart has been in his work in Lima and here he has felt it his duty to remain. Since 1898 he has been the beloved pastor of Zion's Evangelical Lutheran Church at Lima; he has previously been pastor from April, 1895, to June, 1896.
Mr. Ackerman has been a frequent contributor to religious and educational journals and magazines, was chairman of a committee of four appointed by the Joint Synod of Ohio for the preparation of a hymnal with music for Lutheran Churches, and is at the present time actively taking part in a movement for the publication of Luther's works in English. In 1903 he took part in the organization of the International Lutheran Library Association and is one of its vice-presidents.