World War I Draft Registration Card

Name in full: VAUGHN HOMER AKERS
Age in years: 28
Home address: 22 Washington Ave. So.
Date of birth: July 27, 1889
Where were you born: Akersville, Pa.
Trade: Common Labor
By whom employed: no one
Where employed: nowhere
Any dependents: none
Status: Single
Race: Caucasian
Signature: Vaughn Homer Akers
Registrar's Report
Height: Medium
Build: Medium
Eyes: Gray
Hair: Dark Brown
Disabilities: none
Signature of Registrar: M.J. O'Neill
Precinct: 19, 4 ward
County: Hennepin
State: Minnesota
Date of Registration: June 5 [year not stated]
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Los Angeles, CA: The Los Angeles Times, issue of Sunday, 16 November 1924, "Farm and Orchard Magazine", p. 3, cols. 1-2 & p. 14, col. 3

The Story of a Poultryman Who Felt
His Way to Success

By Christine Emery

You will climb the heights in more ways than one when you visit the Akers Poultry farm at Tujunga, for it is an inspirational journey that lifts the seeker for facts well above the sense of limitation that, all too often, seems to overshadow our every-day existence.

Vaughn H. Akers, the owner of this highland farm, is a blind man, yet his has been an achievement that puts to shame all half-hearted attempts at winning a way in the world and silences the hard-luck tales of men, who having their sight, are far less capable of seeing life's great opportunities than he.

Read the story of his effort, rejoice in the courage that, daily put to the test, has triumphed over the greatest of physical handicaps; and let no one declare that "it can't be done," or that making a go with poultry is a visionary and uninteresting theme.

Since 1918, when in the service of his country in the World War, he lost his sight, life has been for Mr. Akers a prolonged period of readjustment. For him it became only a question of what to do--he was determined to succeed at something. His was not and is not the blindness of inertia.

In preparation for a life of usefulness, soon after his return to this country from France, Mr. Akers entered upon a course in project training at the Veteran's Vocational School in Baltimore, Maryland. Learning to read and write by the Braille system for the blind and to operate the typewriter were merely preliminary preparations for the plan he had so definitely in mind, for a little later he, with a group of twenty-nine others, began a course in scientific poultry raising.

When their mastery of theory was sufficient to warrant the beginning of actual work, the members of that invincible class prepared to make practical application of the principles they had so painstakingly learned.

Mrs. Akers, an efficient and charming little woman, who had given generously of her time and strength in the war-time medical service, is a native Californian, and she saw the opportunity for physical upbuilding that would come from out-of-door life in the Southwest. Consequently, three years ago, the Akers bought a place in Tujunga, a bit of one-time vineyard land, where, high and dry and well above the fog, they started hopefully upon their great adventure.

In those early days Mrs. Akers was the "seeing member of the firm" for all was new and strange to the tall man who so cautiously felt his way about with the aid of a cane as he slowly memorized the details of his unseen homestead. Gradually, because he willed it to be so, he learned his way about and planned for the fullest utilization of the three small lots (they are 40 by 110 feet each) that were to become the proving ground for his unusual business venture.

"I wanted Rhode Island Reds and I insisted that I would have none but the best," said Mr. Akers in telling of that first experience, "and right then it seemed that I had struck against an unclimbable wall, for as time passed the strain of birds I sought grew more and more elusive.

"Mrs. Akers read all of the poultry journals and we checked off the ads in them and in the Farm and Orchard Magazine of the Times. Then we (that is she) would inspect the birds offered. We were hard to please--I don't mind saying it. I finally bought a few birds that seemed to be the best available and we made a start. But I wanted to do really constructive work, building on a foundation of the best, and we weren't satisfied.

"Of course, we finally found what we wanted. The best in poultry can be bought right here in Southern California if you look for it, and we got just what we'd been after. My wife brought me the good tidings and we launched forth with two settings of eggs that represented our ideal in poultry straing.

"Since then it has been smooth sailing and our days are filled with interesting activity. I honestly think there is nothing that offers greater possibilities for normal, healthful living than a business and home like mine."

I wanted to see the "Reds" this blind man so much admired, and he was more than willing. I followed him, marveling at the sureness of his step as he led the way about the yards, where, securely penned and comfortably housed, his birds are given every attention. So accustomed are they to being picked up and petted that they crowd about him the moment he enters their enclosure. There is no frantic rushing for cover at the approach of a stranger, for the Akers flock know and expect nothing but kindly treatment. And this tameness was manifest later at the Los Angeles County Fair poultry show at Pomona, where the Akers birds, entered in the pen laying contests, were noticeably calm and contented in their close quarters under the searching eyes of visitors. Incidentally, Mr. Akers had the high-laying pen of "Reds" in the "endurance handicap" at the fair.

Mr. Akers is able to reach out, instinctively it seems, and pick up any bird that he desires. Each fowl has a leg band marked with the raised dots of the Braille system, but he does not need this help apparently to be sure he has the one he wants. All hens on being released from the trap nests that are so essentially a feature of the work at the Akers farm are "read," the score being marked (in Braille) upon the tally sheet beside the nests. The records are then entered in the cleverly kept Braille "production book."

"I can't realize that your husband is blind," I told Mrs. Akers as we stood and watched him at work.

"Few people do," she assured me with a smile. "Here, at home, he is sure of his surroundings and does not even need his cane, but when he is in a strange place it is different. Even though I am a nurse, or perhaps because of it, I think it is truly remarkable what he has been able to accomplish, for he does all of the work and he has even built the small houses and yards.

"I am using Barred Rocks and Silky's for hatching," Mr. Akers explained, "and I find that the little white hens are not only good setters, but that they are fine mothers and stay with their flocks until the chickens are as big as they are.

"My plan is to build up a reliable breeding business and I feel that I can make a good showing, for I have over 200 carefully-graded birds. Gradually, I want to break in to the show room exhibitions, for I think I am going to have something worth showing as the years go by. My birds are going strong on the laying and I have some good records that promise well for future egg-basket production from my flock.

"It is a waste of time to work with any but the best, I am sure. We were rewarded, after our search, by finding a strain of Reds that have an individuality, a proven egg production bodily vigor and richness of plumage and these qualities are being perpetuated in my birds. Leading breeders of "Reds" have taken a friendly interest in my efforts and have given me no end of good advice that has helped me a lot. This willingness to help the other fellow is one of the finest qualities a man can have and I can probably realize it better than most persons."
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"The Pulse of the West", Sunset Magazine, February 1925, p. 46

[photo of Vaughn Akers surrounded by his Rhode Island Red chickens], with caption as follows:

Though he lost his sight in the Great War, Vaughn Akers did not lose hope or courage. He has become a successful breeder of pedigreed poultry despite his handicap.

[excerpt from larger article]

Blind street beggars notwithstanding, it can be done even by those who have lost their sight. Look at Vaughn Akers who lost his sight six years ago in France. He was not content to take his compensation and brood over his misfortune. He took a course in poultry farming, wooed and married the girl of his choice, came West and started out to breed the best strain of Rhode Island Reds on the Pacific Coast. High up on the foothills of the Sierra Madre near Los Angeles he acquired a bit of land, built fences and chicken houses, selected the best hens he could find and started in to build his flock from the ground up. He knows his land, his pens and his chickens so thoroughly that he seems to have unimpaired vision; he has made friends of all his birds, does all the work himself, keeps the records and takes an immense pride in the development of hens that by-and-by will bring home the blue ribbons from the poultry shows.

But unfortunately there are not many men of the Vaughn Akers stamp even among those in full possession of their faculties. We give up too easily; let's quit groaning as we see the blind man cheerfully rebuilding his blasted life, get a new grip and go to it.
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Newspaper clipping in collection of Nancy Maye (Akers) Barnes. Undated.

"TO HIM WHO GAVE"

Many interesting things come to an editor's desk, some of them so inspirational that one can scarcely do justice in passing them on. We found this especially so.

Out, among the foothills, near Tujunga, California, is a little ranch, owned and operated by Mr. and Mrs. V.H. Akers. Yes, it is a poultry ranch and they have about two hundred "Weaver Reds." So far our story is very common place, there are numerous poultry ranches and many of them have "Weaver's Reds." But Mr. Akers is one of our boys who gave,--"gave until it hurt,"--when Uncle Sam called for the best of our American manhood to don his fighting clothes. Mr. Akers served in the Medical Corps, losing his eyesight in performance of duty. After the war, he entered the government vocational training school back east, taking a course in poultry husbandry. There were thirty in this division, all of them locating in the east with the exception of Mr. Akers, whose wife, also in government service during the war, is a native Californian. Mrs. Akers, a petite, vivacious little lady, confessed her longing for the familiar mountains which brought them here.

Mr. Akers is able to perform all duties in caring for the poultry, only reading of poultry magazines, books, etc., which is lovingly done by Mrs. Akers. They are starting right with the view of building up a breeding plant. Mr. Akers expects to exhibit at some of our fall shows and will do pedigree hatching next spring. They spoke very highly of the invaluable assistance Mr. Weaver had given them in getting started.

The poultry industry is honored by having men and women of this caliber among its number. We wish and predict them every success.
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Los Angeles, CA: The Los Angeles Times, issue of Sunday, 28 February 1926, "Farm and Orchard Magazine", p. 17, col. 2

BLIND POULTRYMAN MOVES

BEAUMONT.--Vaughn H. Akers, a blind poultryman who has conducted a successful business at Tujunga during the past few years, has disposed of his property at that place and is establishing his plant here on a larger scale. He has one acre of land, large yards and four well-equipped buildings besides a brooder house. He is bringing here only the best of his Rhode Island Red flock from his Tujunga pens. He reports a satisfying call for hatching eggs and baby chicks.

[in the middle of the paragraph is a photograph of Mr. Akers tending to a large rooster on a crate, with the caption:]

In New Location.

Vaughn H. Akers, blind poultryman, who has moved his Rhode Island Red establishment from Tujunga to Beaumont.
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San Bernardino, CA: The San Bernardino Daily Sun, issue of Sunday, 17 March 1929, p. 22, col. 6, classifieds

45 Poultry and Eggs

DARK Cornish blue ribbon winners, exhibition and utility matings, eggs $2 and $5 for 15. Also S.C.R.I. Red eggs and chicks on order. V.H. Akers, 892 N. Massachusetts Ave., Beaumont, Calif. Ph. 474.
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1930 CA Census: Riverside Co. Beaumont City, #892 Massachusetts Ave., ed 33-1, p. 13a, lines 16-17
Series T626, roll 183, dwelling 374, family 412, 16 April 1930

Vaughn H. AKERS, Head, owns home, value $3,000, age 40, first marr. at age 30, b. Penna., parents b. Penna., Poultry Man: Poultry Yard
Ann E., Wife, age 32, first marr. at age 22, b. California, father b. Penna., mother b. Canada, Registered Nurse
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San Bernardino, CA: The San Bernardino Daily Sun, issue of Tuesday, 12 September 1939, Section Two: Inland Empire, p. 11, col. 5

Driver of Cab and
Passenger Injured

A taxicab operator and his passenger were injured at 7:12 last night in an automobile accident at Seventh and E street, according to a police report.

The taxi driver was Herman Leroy Mason, 35 years old, of 1397 D street, and the passenger, V. H. Akers, 49, of 3672 E street. Mason suffered a fractured knee cap. Akers sustained lacerations and bruises.

Officers Ed Blakely and Frank O. Morley said Mason was driving south on E street and attempted to make a left hand turn onto Seventh street, colliding with a car driven by William A. Yarbrough, 27, of 1221 1/2 Fifth street. Yarbrough, driving north on E street, was uninjured.
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San Bernardino, CA: The San Bernardino Daily Sun, issue of Sunday, 14 April 1940, p. 9, col. 5

Desertion, Cruelty
Cited in Complaint

Alleging desertion and cruelty, Vaughn H. Akers filed suit in superior court for a divorce from Anne Mildred Akers.

The couple was married Sept. 6, 1920, and Mrs. Akers deserted him July 5, 1938, Mr. Akers said.
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1940 CA Census: San Bernardino Co. San Bernardino City, #3672 E [street], ed 36-119, p. 63a, line 28
Series T627, roll 293, home value $2,500, [undated] 1940

Vaugh[n] H. AKERS, Head, age 49, married, completed 8th grade, b. Penna., same home in 1935
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California Deaths 1940-1997

Name: AKERS, Vaughn H.
Sex: Male
Birth Date: 27 July 1890
Death Date: 2 July 1940
Birthplace: Pennsylvania
County of Death: Los Angeles
Mother's Maiden Name: Hanks
Father's Name: Akers
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San Bernardino, CA: The San Bernardino Daily Sun, issue of Wednesday, 10 July 1940, p. 23, col. 3

IN THE SHADOWS
-----
VAUGHN HOMER AKERS

Vaughn Homer Akers died July 2 at the Veteran's hospital, Sawtelle. He was 49 years old, a native of Pennsylvania, and had resided at 3672 North E street, San Bernardino, for 10 years.

Mr. Akers, well-known in veterans circles in San Bernardino, had been in the hospital for only one day. He was disabled and blind. Funeral services were held July 5 at Sawtelle.

For 20 years he was a member of the American Legion in Los Angeles. Surviving are two sisters, Mrs. Goldie Wagner of Arcadia and Mrs. Mae Barnes of Pennsylvania.
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Newspaper clipping in collection of Nancy Maye (Akers) Barnes. Undated.

AKERS. Vaughn Homer Akers, July 2, at Veterans' Hospital, husband of Anne Mildred Akers; brother of Mrs. G.W. Wagner of Arcadia and Mrs. Maye Barnes of Pennsylvania. Military services Friday, 2 p.m., at Veterans' chapel, West Los Angeles. (San Bernardino papers please copy.)
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1943 Photograph of headstone from collection of Nancy Maye (Akers) Barnes
Sawtelle, California

VAUGHN H. | AKERS | MINNESOTA | PVT. MED. DEPT. | JULY 2, 1940
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Los Angeles National Cemetery, Los Angeles, Los Angeles Co. CA
Findagrave memorial 3684444

VAUGHN H
AKERS
PVT
MEDICAL DEPT
WORLD WAR I
JUL 2 1940
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