Photograph of William J. Akers in center on white with white text over light blue background surrounding.
THE WHITEHEAD & HOAG CO NEWARK N.J. UNION LABEL PATENTED JULY 17, 1894 APRIL 14, 1896 JULY 21, 1896
William Joseph Akers (b. 1845) of Cleveland, Cuyahoga County, Ohio, was a Republican candidate for mayor of Cleveland, Ohio in 1892 and 1901. Akers was born in England, August 2, 1845 and was proprietor of restaurants, hotels and flour mills. During his mayorial races against Tom L. Johnson, he was able to claim between 40 and 52 percent of the split Republican vote, whereas the estimate of Johnson’s Republican support is from 19 to 48. Akers was defeated in both races against Johnson, likely because 86 percent of the Democratic vote went to Johnson.
In 1890, Johnson was elected as a Democratic for the U.S. House of Representatives from Cleveland's 21st district, and was reelected in 1892. In 1901, Johnson was elected Cleveland's mayor, campaigning on "home rule, 3-cent fare, and just taxation"; he was reelected for 3 terms.
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