WILLIAM H. ECKARD
Page 253

WILLIAM H. ECKARD. Prominent among the citizens of Mason County who have materially contributed to its prosperity is the subject of this sketch. He owns a fine farm of one hundred and forty acres in this and Hancock Counties, all of which he rents. He has been a conspicuous figure in the civic life of this section for many years, and is at present filling the position of Supervisor of Quiver Township. The father of our subject, Moses Eckard, was born in 1821, in Maryland, while his mother, Mrs. Sarah E. (Simmons) Eckard, was a native of Kentucky, where her father, Pollard Simmons, was born. The latter, who was a prominent man in his locality, came to Illinois, and after making his home for a time in Menard County, removed to the northern part of Havana Township, this county, in 1835, where he erected what was known as the Simmons Mill, and for many years operated it in connection with farming. The good wife of Moses Eckard died at her home in Winchester, this state, April 22, 1894. The parental family included three sons and a daughter, of whom Sarah A. married Thomas J. Metzler, who is now deceased, and she is living in Winchester. William H. is the next in order of birth. James P. married Hettie Lukins, and is living in Quiver Township, where also John R., who took to wife Miss Nannie Bates, makes his home. Moses Eckard came to this county in 1838, where he was married and located on a farm of wild land on section 29, this township. He immediately commenced the hard task of redeeming his property from it primitive condition, and at this death left a valuable estate of five hundred and ten acres. He was always actively interested in local affairs, although never in any sense an office-seeker, and in politics was a strong Democrat. He served as a member of the School Board for many years, and died February 19, 1889. William H., of this sketch, was born on the old homestead May 1. 1846, and was there reared to manhood, receiving his education first in the common schools and later in the high school at Havana. He afterward entered the business college at Peoria, and after taking a commercial course was appointed agent of the Jacksonville Southeastern Railroad, which at that time was known as the Illinois River Railroad. This was in 1867, and he has been the incumbent of that office for twenty-seven years, with headquarters at Topeka. In 1868-69 he was engaged in the merchandise business in that place, which village was laid out ten years previously by his father and a Mr. Thomas, who was President of the railroad company. Mr. Eckard in addition to discharging the duties of his position is engaged in the grain and coal business, and occupies an assured position among the business men of the county. The lady to whom our subject married in 1868 was Miss Amelia J., daughter of John Bandean, of Louisville, Ky., where Mrs. Eckard was also born, April 3, 1846. By her union with our subject there have been born six children viz: Fred R., Elmer M., Harry W., Earl C., Frank B., and Nellie M. The eldest son is train dispatcher for the Toledo, Peoria & Western Railroad Company; Elmer M. is a student in the Rush Medical College of Chicago, and Harry W. Is telegraph operator at the home office. In social affairs Mr. Eckard is a Modern Woodman of America, holding membership with the lodge at Topeka, and in politics has been a life long Democrat. He has always been actively interested in the same, and has frequently been sent as delegate to the various conventions of his party. He has been a member of the School Board for ten years, and in 1883 was elected Supervisor of Quiver Township, having the honor of being the first Democrat to ever hold that position. He was reelected in 1887, and again in 1891. He is a Notary Public, and his great popularity has caused him to be placed before the people as a candidate for the office of Clerk of Mason County. He gives his aid to all public measures having for their object the promotion of the welfare of the people and may be relied upon to give his influence in behalf of all that is true, uplifting and beneficial.

1894 Biography Index

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