[5] In 1852, immigrants began purchasing farms and settling in the north Hardin County area.

In the fall of 1852, Lemuel Harvy "Seth" Arledge, a frontiersman who acted as both a physician and preacher originally from Kentucky staked a claim just north of the Hardin County line and built a cabin close to where Highway 57 now passes.

Another settler, Thomas Downs, became the first permanent resident of Ackley when he bought Dr. Arledge's claim.

Later his widow sold a strip of land from Butler Street to the four county corner for $3.00 an acre to Minor Gallop.

Gallop built a house, just east of Highway 57 which became an inn, a stopover for stagecoaches, and the first post office.

Roby Parriott and wife, Abigail, settled in Washington Township, Butler County.

Parriott immediately began to acquire more land and purchased what is now the business section of Ackley.

He decided Etna Township was a good place for a railroad station.

William Ackley purchased the land for the railroad route and discussed founding a town.

[7][8] In 1865, the Dubuque and Sioux City Railroad bought nearly all the timber at Island Grove and corded it up where the Illinois Central depot stands.

The completion of the railroad brought on a rush of settlers and businessmen and the town boomed.

The Ackley Civic Center now stands at the site of a store once owned by Francis.

[9] By 1870, the town had a brick schoolhouse, five churches, a mayor and council, a newspaper, and many stores.

The Ackley Independent Newspaper as well as lawyers, a doctor and fraternal organizations became part of the town.

The hotel was built on the corner of State and Railroad Street (Park).

A local mechanic constructed a horseless carriage in 1905 which ran to Spencer and back but was not further promoted.

Ackley did pave its main streets by 1915 and many auto dealers started business.

The "Glacier Trail" (the road now designated as "County S-56") was marked through Ackley in 1922.

Ackley participated in athletic sports, music and academic activities with surrounding schools.

The mayor and town council, fire department, police station, library and a large meeting room were housed in the building.

Ackley has drawn positive publicity to the community through the frequent stops by RAGBRAI and a new Country Club.