Born: September 27, 1872, Spring Hill, Pennsylvania. He was brother to Alfred Ackley. Died: September 3, 1958, Winona Lake, Indiana. Buried: Oakwood Cemetery, Warsaw, Indiana. Homer Rodeheaver lies nearby.

Ackley showed musical talent early, learning the melodeon, piano, coronet, clarinet and piccolo as a boy. After moving to New York City in 1888, he began playing the organ in several churches. In 1907, he  joined the Billy Sunday-Homer Rodeheaver evangelism team as secretary-pianist, and traveled with them for eight years. As a composer and editor with the Rodeheaver Company, he wrote over 3,000 Gospel tunes.

Music:

1. By and By
2. Have You Prayed It Through?
3. He Will Not Let Me Fall
4. I Love Jesus
5. I Walk with the King
6. I Would Be Like Jesus
7. In the Service of the King
8. Once My Way Was Dark and Dreary
9. Repent! ’Tis the Voice of Jesus
10. Satisfied (Ackley)
11. Somebody Else Needs a Blessing
12. Somebody Knows
13. There Will I Follow Thee
14. This My Plea
15. Who Will Open Mercy’s Door?