Henry H. ECKERSLEY

THATCHER, COATE, PRICE, ECKERSLEY, HUNT, LOVELACE

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 7/28/2013 at 12:23:12

[Henry H. Eckersley of Wright County, Iowa -- father-in-law of Orville M. Thatcher]

Orville M. Thatcher, the well known cashier of the Luther Savings Bank and one of the most progressive young business men of the town, was born in Grant township, Dallas county, Iowa, and spent his early life upon a farm. His father, M. H. Thatcher, was born in Clinton county, Ohio, and came to Iowa in 1867, settling on a farm in Dallas county, where he is now living retired. In connection with general farming he was at one time extensively interested in stock-raising and in business affairs prospered until he is now regarded as one of the well-to-do men of his community. He was one of the defenders of the Union during the Civil war. His wife is also a native of Clinton county, Ohio, and is still living. They had seven children, namely: Frances, now the wife of J. T. Thatcher, a resident of Kansas; Silas J., of Altoona, Iowa; Harriet, the wife of O. M. Coate of Orange, California; Virginia, the wife of A. B. Coate of Des Moines, Iowa; Martha, at home; Catherine, the wife of O. B. Price, of Dallas county; and Orville M., of this review.

Orville M. Thatcher received good educational advantages, first attending the public schools and later the schools of Des Moines and Dixon, Illinois, where he pursued a college course and was graduated in 1903. He then entered the private banking house of W. J. Stewart of Grimes, Iowa, as assistant cashier, remaining there one year. In July, 1004, he came to Luther as cashier of the Luther Savings Bank, which he and his father, M. H. Thatcher, organized at that time. His father is now president of the institution, while Oscar Oakleaf of Madrid, is the vice president, with our subject as cashier and Charles Goodrich assistant cashier. This is one of the safe, conservative financial institutions of the county, and those at its head are reliable and enterprising business men.

Orville M. Thatcher was married on the 26th of June, 1907, to Miss Lillie" Eckersley, who was born in Iroquois county, Illinois, a daughter of Henry H. and Harriet (Hunt) Eckersley. Her father was born, reared and educated in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and in early life learned the machinist's trade. During the Civil war he entered the service and for four years was connected with the marines. During a terrible storm he was saved from a watery grave by the ship Sabine. On leaving the east he removed to Chicago and later to a farm in Grundy county, Illinois, and from there to Iroquois county, the same state, but now makes his home in Wright county, Iowa. His wife died in Illinois. In their family were eight children, namely: Sadie, who is now a school teacher in Iroquois county, Illinois; Anna, the wife of John Lovelace of that county; Cornelia; Harry, a resident of Iroquois county; William and Thomas, both of Wright county, Iowa; John, of Iroquois county, Illinois; and Lillie, the wife of our subject. Mr. and Mrs. Thatcher have two children, Wilbur Clayton and Orville Donald. The parents hold membership in the Methodist Episcopal church, in the work of which they take a very active interest, Mr. Thatcher serving at the present time as superintendent of the Sunday school. He is republican in politics, and takes a commendable interest in public affairs, never withholding his support from any enterprise which he believes calculated to promote the moral or material welfare of his community.

History of Boone County, Iowa, ed., Goldthwait, Nathan Edward, 1914, Volume 2