Cumberland County, Maine - Ambrose V. Ackley
**********************************************************************
USGENWEB ARCHIVES NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any
format for profit or presentation by any other organization or persons. Persons
or organizations desiring to use this material, must obtain the written consent
of the contributor, or the legal representative of the submitter, and contact
the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent.
The submitter has given permission to the USGenWeb Archives to store the file
permanently for free access. http://www.rootsweb.com/~usgenweb

This copy contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by:
C. Wendland SilverDrusilla@aol.com
Copyright © 2005 by C. Wendland
Caitlin's Gold Award Project, Girl Scouts USA, Rio Grande Girl Scout Council,
El Paso, Texas
**********************************************************************

Biography
Ambrose V. Ackley
Biographical Review
Cumberland County, Maine
Boston
Biographical Review Publishing Company
1896
Page 678


Ambrose V. Ackley, proprietor of Toronto Cottage, Portland Harbor, Me., is a
native of this State, having been born February 2, 1848, in the town of Rumford,
Oxford County. His father, John Ackley, was a lifelong resident of Rumford,
dying there when Ambrose was but a few months old. Mrs. Ackley, whose maiden
name was Polly Penley, survived her husband but a few years, passing away in
1854. Their son Ambrose, who was thus early deprived of parental care, was
reared on a farm, and attended the district schools until fifteen years old. At
that time he went to Pine Grove, Pa., where he worked on a farm for two years.

Returning to Maine, young Ackley continued his studies at the North Waterford
and the North Bridgton Academies, afterward attending the Norway Literary
Institute, applying himself so diligently that in July, 1868, be was enabled to
enter Bowdoin College. He worked his way through college, teaching school
winters and spending his summer vacations in book canvassing, receiving his
diploma with the class of 1872, which included men of such ability and note as
the Hon. George M. Seiders, Dr. George H. Cummings, of this city, and Herbert M.
Heath, of Augusta. After his graduation Mr. Ackley resumed teaching for eight
consecutive years, having charge of the school on Peak Island. He then bought a
place on that island, and, having married, established a boarding-house, which
he conducted successfully until purchasing Toronto Cottage, where he has since
resided. He has been engaged in teaching school a number of years at Cape
Elizabeth and other places.

Mr. Ackley is a firm adherent of the Republican party. He has served as Warden;
and he was Census Enumerator in 1880 and 1890, taking the census of all the
islands belonging to Portland, including Peak's, Cushing's, House, Great Hog and
Little Hog, now known as Great and Little Diamond, Long, Jewell's, Little
Chebeague, and also a part of Ward 1 of the city. Mr. Ackley is prominent in
Masonic circles, having been made Master Mason in Crooked River Lodge,
September, 1870, at Otisfield. The following year he was exalted in Oriental
Chapter, Royal Arch Masons, of Bridgton, and in February, 1895, joined the
Portland Council. He is likewise a member of the Order of the Golden Cross, of
which he was the financial Keeper of Records for eighteen consecutive terms, and
is now the Noble Commander.

Mr. Ackley married Miss Mary E., daughter of Simeon and Nancy E. (Sterling)
Skillings, who were among the original settlers of Cushing's Island. Three
children have been born of their union, namely: Laura E., wife of Walter B.
Sterling, of Peak's Island; Ethel; and Edward Preble.