Francis Johnston “Frank” Eckels (1855-1935)

ECKELS, HERRON, WADSWORTH, HUTCHISON, BOWDEN, PALMER

Posted By: Dorian Myhre (email)
Date: 5/2/2021 at 22:11:00

From Nevada Evening Journal September 2, 1935 (page 3)

Funeral Services for F. J. Eckles Held Here Saturday

Funeral services for F. J. Eckles, 80, former Story county man, who died Thursday at the home of his son, Herron Eckles, at Murray, were held Saturday afternoon at Central Presbyterian church of which congregation Mr. Eckles was a former officer. Interment was in the family lot in the Nevada cemetery.

The services were in charge of his former pastor, Dr. J. E. Spencer of the First Presbyterian church of Lake City; assisted by Rev. Jos. M. Kennedy. Two songs were sang by Mrs. Hale with Mrs. Armstrong at the organ.

Pallbearers were the grandsons of the deceased with the exception of J. F. Hutchison of Rockwell City, and Allen Sowers, who substituted in the absence of Eckles Hutchison of Waterloo who was unable to be present. The grandsons present were Miner and James S. Eckles of Murray, George G. Hutchison, Jr., of Lake City and Frederick Hutchison of Waterloo.

Relatives here for the funeral services were Mrs. F. J. Eckles, Sr., widow of deceased, and the sons and daughters and their families, MR and Mrs. H. A. Eckles, and sons Miner and James of Murray; Mr. and Mrs. Frank Eckles, Jr., of Oakland; Mr. and Mrs. R. O. Hutchison, daughter Corrine and son Frederick of Waterloo; Mr. and Mrs. G. G. Hutchison, daughters Eleanor Jane, Hope Elizabeth, and Margaret and son George, Jr., of Lake City.

Among the friends from out of the city in attendance were Dr. and Mrs. J. E. Spencer, Mrs. Walter Jacobs, Mrs. Nettie Nokes and Frank Jacobs of Lake City and Mrs. H. H. Stipp of Des Moines.

Francis Johnston Eckles, son of James Starr and Margaret Herron Eckels, was born in Greenville, Pa., Sept. 20, 1855.

His father, after completing a law course at Union University, Albany, New York, established a home for his wife and son in Princeton, Ill., where Mr. Eckels spent his youth and early manhood, uniting with the Presbyterian church of that place at the age of twelve years. He was graduated from Princeton high school in the class of 1873, and from the law department of Union University in 1875, being the first son of graduated to complete the law course of this institution.

Immediately after his graduation he entered upon the practice of law in Princeton, Ill.

On September 2, 1878 at Wellington, Ohio, Mr. Eckels and Miss Jennie Wadsworth were united in marriage; a bond of union and happy companionship the fifty-seventh year of which would have been completed on Monday, Sept. 2nd. To Mr. and Mrs. Eckels were born eight children--Elmer Palmer, Jennie Wadsworth (Mrs. G. G. Hutchison of Lake City), Herron Ames of Murray, Frank J. Jr. of Oakland, Maria Eleanor (Mrs. R. O. Hutchison of Waterloo), James Starr, Benjamin Wadsworth and Margaret Davidson (Mrs. Charles Bowden of Alliance, Ohio.)

In 1882 Mr. and Mrs. Eckels moved to Wellington, Ohio where they engaged in farming and reared their growing family. Having purchased a farm near Nevada, Iowa, Mr. and Mrs. Eckels established a home there in 1901, a home in which they found great happiness and to which their friends were ever welcome. While living in Nevada they experienced the sorrow of the loss of two sons, James Starr and Benjamin Wadsworth Eckels. After the death of the latter Mr. and Mrs. Eckels with their daughter Margaret moved to Boulder, Colo., where they spent ten years rich in friendships and pleasant associations.

In 1926 in order to be near their children they built a home in Lake City, Iowa, where in 1928 they celebrated their golden wedding anniversary and where they have lived until the past year which they have spent with their son and daughter-in-law, Mr. and Mrs. H. A. Eckels of Murray, Iowa. In this home cared for by the loving ministrations of his wife and children Mr. Eckels passed away on the morning of August 29th at the age of 79 years, 11 months and nine days.

He leaves to mourn his loss his wife and children, his sister, Mrs. Jane I. Palmer of Princeton, Ill. Two brothers, James H. and George M. having preceded him in death. He also leaves eleven grandchildren and three great grandchildren. Of a quiet reserved nature Mrs. Eckels found his greatest happiness in his own home surrounded by family and friends. A great student and reader, of a most retentive memory, his knowledge of history was remarkable.

An outstanding athlete in his youth, both a league ball player and boxing champion, he retained his interest in athletic news until the last week of his life.

But above all else a Christian gentleman, he gave his whole hearted allegiance to the God in whom his trust had no shadow of turning and to the Christ to him was living savior.

He faithfully served the church of his choice as Sunday school teacher, ministering deacon and elder and supported all its ordinances.

May the strength of his faith rest within the hearts of his sorrowing wife and family today to sustain and comfort them in the grief of this earthly separation which is after all but for a little while.