John Eckert
John Eckert is engaged in general farming in Franklin
township, owning and cultivating one hundred and seventy acres of
land. He has brought his fields to a high state of cultivation
and his place presents an attractive appearance, constituting one
of the pleasing pictures in the landscape. He was born in Clayton
county, near Guttenberg, October 7, 1872, a son of Christian and
Anna (Nicolai) Eckert, natives of Germany, the former born in
1821 and the latter in 1824. When he was a young man the father
crossed the Atlantic to America and, coming directly to Iowa,
located first at Guttenberg and after a time became an extensive
landowner, giving his attention to general farming in the
vicinity of that city until 1876. In that year he moved to
Franklin township, Allamakee county, and purchased a five hundred
acre farm, upon which he continued to reside until his death,
which occurred in 1877, less than one year after his arrival
here. Following his demise the mother operated the farm with the
help of her sons for a number of years and later made their home
with her children until her death, which occurred on the 8th of
December, 1910.
John Eckert is the youngest of seven children born to his
parents. He was reared at home and in his childhood assisted with
the work of his mother’s farm, becoming at an early date
familiar with the best agricultural methods and with everything
connected with the work of the fields. After his marriage he
rented the homestead for seven years and then purchased land of
his own on section 9, Franklin township, upon which he still
resides. He now owns one hundred and seventy acres of fine land,
upon which he carries on general farming and stock-raising, both
branches of his business being important and profitable. He
follows the most modern and progressive methods in the
cultivation of his property and that his labors have been
practical is indicated by the results he has achieved, owning now
one of the best farms in this community.
On the 20th of March, 1900, Mr. Eckert was united in marriage to
Miss Edith Roffmand and they became the parents of two children:
Bernice, born January 2, 1907; and Florence, born June 16, 1910.
Mr. Eckert is a stockholder in the Farmers’ Shipping
Association of Luana and in the Monona State Bank and his ability
is widely recognized in business circles. His political
allegiance is given to the democratic party and he has rendered
his township excellent service as school director although he
never seeks public office. His life has been a busy, useful and
active one and his success is indicated in the fact of his
ownership of one of the valuable farming properties in this
community.
-source: Past & Present of Allamakee County; by
Ellery M. Hancock; S. J. Clarke Pub. Co.; 1913
-transcribed by Diana Diedrich
Return to 1913 biographies index