George W. Akers, a prominent and well known citizen of Stafford, is a Kansas pioneer whose residence within the state dates back to 1863. He comes of Revolutionary ancestry and is a son of Thomas and Margaret Akers, to whom he was born in a log cabin on Little Walnut creek, in Putnam county, Indiana, March 20, 1839. His parents were natives of Kentucky and both his paternal and maternal grandparents were Virginians by birth. Thomas Akers, Sr., grandfather of Dr. Akers, was a Continental soldier under General Washington. Soon after the Revolutionary war he came to Kentucky with a colony of his neighbors and settled near Boonesborough. He was present and assisted in the defense of that place during the famous Indian attack there.

Dr. Akers received his literary education in the public schools and at Bainbridge Academy, Bainbridge, Ind. To prepare for the profession of medicine he studied first under Dr. J. B. Cross and later entered the College of Physicians and Surgeons at Indianapolis, Ind., where he graduated. In 1863 he came to Kansas and settled in Paola. He entered the ministry of the Methodist Episcopal church, in 1881, and joined the Southwest Kansas Conference, in 1882. He was ordained a deacon by Bishop Merrill, in 1884, and in 1886 was ordained an elder by Bishop Walden. He served pastorates at Little River, Burrton, Sylvia, Sedgwick and Douglas. While at the last named charge his health failed and he then took a superannuated relation with the ministry He removed his family to Stafford, where he again entered into the active practice of medicine. Soon after his removal to Stafford he bought the controlling interest in the "Stafford County Republican," and became its editor, retaining that relation until his son, Earl, assumed those duties in his stead. Dr. Akers has always been a Republican. His first and second presidential votes were for Abraham Lincoln, and every Republican candidate for president from Lincoln to William Howard Taft has received his support. He was appointed postmaster at Stafford, in 1888, by President Harrison, and was complimented by Postmaster-General John Wanamaker for his efficiency. He is now associated with his son, Arthur B., in conducting a general mercantile business, under the firm name of Akers & Son.

At Bainbridge, Ind., March 22, 1860, Dr. Akers was united in marriage to Margaret M., daughter of Neanian and Joann Steele, both natives of Indiana. Dr. Akers and his wife, a woman of rare personal qualities, have enjoyed a long and happy companionship of fifty-one years. They have four children living: L. Nean, the eldest son, is a veterinary surgeon and practices his profession at Stafford, Kan.; Art B. is associated with his father in the mercantile business; Earl, editor and proprietor of the "Stafford Republican," is serving as personal secretary for Governor Stubbs and lives in Topeka; Lillian D., the only daughter, is the wife of Dr. W. H. Griffith and resides in Protection, Kan., where her husband practices dentistry. Dr. Akers is a man of fine character and is of the very first rank among the prominent and influential men of Stafford county. As a business man he is upright, reliable, and honorable, and in all places and under all circumstances he is loyal to truth, honor and right, which qualities have won for him the universal esteem of all who know him. Dr. Akers is vice-president of the Nova Larabee Memorial Library at Stafford and is a member of the book committee.