Benjamin Paul Akers, a renowned sculptor, was born in Saccarappa in 1825 and later moved with his family to Salmon Falls, where his father operated a wood-turning mill.

Akers had a studio in Portland and later studied and worked in Boston, then in Rome. Akers was married to Elizabeth Anne Chase, a journalist and poet. He died in 1861 of tuberculosis.

Akers' brother, Carl, also was a sculptor and artist.