W.O. Eckley

ECKLEY, CARLSON

Posted By: Clay County IAGenWeb Coordinator (email)
Date: 11/6/2010 at 13:33:30

Among the younger men finding their fortunes in the great west is W. O. Eckley, who is extensively engaged in general farming and stock-raising in Logan township, and formerly well known as a livery man and dealer in farm implements, both of which enterprises he gave up recently in order to devote his undivided attention to his agricultural interests. He is a man whose aggressive spirit is enabling him to turn the soil to his advantage, and being possessed of the strength and vigor of youth, he may well look forward to many a year of bountiful harvests, which will be the means of leading him along the pathway of success and to permanent prosperity. A native son, his birth occurred in Douglas township, Clay county, December 19, 1877 and he is a son of John L. and Mary E. (Duboise) Eckley. His father was also a native of Iowa, and now resides in Barnum, Carlton county, Minnesota. His mother is a native of New York state.

The boyhood days of W. O. Eckley were spent in Douglas township and Spencer, where he attended the common schools and remained at his studies until he had completed his education. Upon leaving school he remained at the home of his parents until he was twenty-one years of age, when he started out in life for himself. Being somewhat inspired by the brawny arm of the blacksmith, he thought he would like to engage in that occupation as his life work, consequently he secured a place in a blacksmith shop, when, after one years hard work, he gave up his desire to follow the occupation and engaged in business at Gillett Grove. He remained there two years and became connected with a livery business, which he pursued for a time, and then entered the employ of Charles Gilmore, for whom he worked until he was united in marriage, and then took up farming in Herdland township. He followed farming there for a period of three years, then removed to his present rented farm in this township, and there cultivates a half section of excellent land. Since his occupancy of this place he has been meeting with more than ordinary success in producing general crops and in handling and breeding a high grade of stock, and at the expiration of 1909 he anticipates having sufficient surplus means with which to rent an additional quarter section, upon which he will broaden his farming interests and pay more attention to stock-breeding.

February 2, 1904, he was united in marriage to Miss Florence Carlson, a daughter of John Carlson, a native of Stockholm, Sweden, who now resides in Greenwood, Missouri. To this union have been born the following children: Hazel Esther, who is four years of age, and Harvey John, now in his third year. The republican party receives Mr. Eckley’s support, the principles of which, upon candid consideration, he has decided contain the secret of the nation’s financial power and permanent prosperity. He attends divine services at the Methodist church and his excellent qualities of character and enterprising spirit have given him high standing as a citizen of the community.

Contributed by: Susan Gregory. Source: History of Clay County Iowa – Steele – 1909, page 599.