Charles Eckhardt (1859-1933)

ECKHARDT

Posted By: Debra Scott Hierlmeier (email)
Date: 11/10/2008 at 23:11:10

CHARLES ECKHARDT 1859-1933
PHOTO AVAILABLE
Prominent Businessman of Avoca Passes On

Charles Eckhardt passed away at his home in Avoca, Thursday morning November 23, aged 74 years. The funeral services were held Sunday, November 26 from the Blust Funeral Home with Rev Roland C Propst officiating.

Charles Echardt was born at Davenport, Iowa, December 2, 1859, it was in that city he attended the public schools and grew to manhood. After leaving school he wished to learn a trade and decided that the tinner trade looked very promising. He became a tinner of the old school, none better. In 1883, he was united in marriage to Miss Margarita Pahl, to this union four sons were born.

Before coming to Avoca, Mr. Eckhardt lived at Carson for a short time, coming to Avoca in 1887, accepting a position with the Schmidt & Son hardware company, a position he held for 27 years. At the end of that time Mr. Schmidt presented Mr. Echardt with a fine gold watch and chain, which he cherished very much the remainder of his life.

Several years ago Mr. Eckhardt went into business for himself, doing all kinds of tin and furnace work being assisted by his son, Carl. The past few years he did very little of the work, his health, since the death of Mrs. Eckhardt, December 8, 1930, has been quite poorly.

A little over three weeks ago Mr. Eckhardt made a trip to Davenport for a visit with relatives and old friends, not feeling well he decided to return home and arrived at 10 o’clock pm., the evening before his death, which was Thursday morning at 8 o’clock.

During the forty-seven years Mr. Eckhardt lived in Avoca he served on the Avoca town council and proved himself a very valuable man for our city, always honest and trustworthy, he held the respect of all our citizens. Charles Eckhardt was an asset to Avoca and Avoca business. His death is regretted but his having lived has made the world better, and many a young life has been made happy by his kindness.

Those left to mourn his loss are his four sons: William and Frank Eckhardt of Omaha; Harry and Carl of Avoca. Three brothers: George Eckhardt of Wilseyville, New York; Gus and Louie of Davenport and one sister, Mrs. Henry Free, also of Davenport, and a large number or relatives and friends, and also two grandchildren, Lue and Joan Eckhardt of Avoca.

The relatives from out of town who attended the funeral were:

Mr. and Mrs. Louis Eckhardt, Gus Eckhardt, Miss Louise Eckhardt and Mrs. Henry Free all of Davenport.

Friends who attended from out of town were Mr. and Mrs. Fred Herbert, Mr. and Mrs. Howard Herbert, Mr. and Mrs. Dell c. Herbert all of Atlantic; Mr. and Mrs. Norman C. Davis; Mr. and Mrs. William Pratt; Mrs. John C. Blanchard, Dr. Donald L. Hornbeek, Mr. and Mrs. F. J.. Jodett; Mr. and Mrs. John Emmick, all of Omaha. F.E. Moore and Miss Eleanor Wilcox of Red Oak, Mr. and Mrs. Fred True of Deloit, Iowa; Charles Pospesul, and Frank Pospesul all of Omaha.. Mr. Proulx, superintendent of the Omaha mails and Arthur Pryor of Atlantic were present.

The music was furnished by a string quartette from Omaha, friends of William Eckhardt, son the deceased. The string quartette was Mr. and Mrs. E. J. Popecky, Emil Hoffman and Elmer Sutton prominent and well known Omaha musicians.

From the Scrapbooks of Bessie Gross Gustafsen
Source: Avoca Journal Herald