Mr. Eckley was born in Macon, Georgia, and is a son of Levi Eckley, whose birth occurred in the state of Pennsylvania in the year 1807. After arriving at years of maturity Levi Eckley wedded Miss Mildred Scott Ketler, and removed to Macon. Georgia, whence in 1845 he removed with his family to Illinois, establishing his home upon a new farm in that state, for the locality in which he settled was then but slightly improved, the district being a frontier region. In 1849, attracted by the discovery of gold in California and the business opportunities thereby advanced, he made his way to the Pacific coast and was engaged for a time in merchandising in the city of Sacramento. Later he removed to Petaluma, where he resided continuously until his death. To him and his wife were born twelve children, of whom eight are now living. Joseph E. Eckley, one of the sons, is a resident of Virginia City, is a printer by trade and has been the state printer for two terms of four years each.

J. W. Eckley acquired his education in the public schools. He came to California and entered upon his business career as an employe of the Bank of California. For that corporation he came to Virginia City in 1869, to fill the position of bookkeeper in their institution here, and later he was promoted to the position of cashier, while subsequently he was appointed general manager of the agency. He has now served in the last named position for eighteen years, and his course has been entirely satisfactory to those whom he represents. The bank buys bullion, which is shipped to the main bank in San Francisco; they also conduct a general banking business, which has proved of great benefit to the residents of the city.

In 1885 Mr. Eckley was united in marriage to Miss Ida A. Morgan, a native of New York city, and they now have four children-George, Mildred, Walter and Herbert, all born in Virginia City. They own and occupy the fine residence which was built for United States Senator Fair, and their home is celebrated for its gracious and cordial hospitality. Mrs. Eckley is a valued member of the Episcopal church and the family attend church services there. Mr. Eckley is a distinguished and prominent Mason, belonging to the blue lodge, chapter and commandery, in which he has been honored with the highest offices. His prominence in the fraternity in the state has been manifest by his election to offices in the grand bodies of Masonry. He is a past grand master of the grand lodge of the state, past grand high priest of the grand chapter and past eminent commander of the commandery of his city. He has also taken seventeen degrees of the Scottish Rite and has familiarized himself with the tenets of the craft while exemplifying in his life its beneficent and helpful spirit. He has a very wide and favorable acquaintance throughout the state, and is one of the distinguished representatives of its financial interests.

THE AGENCY OF THE BANK OF CALIFORNIA was established at Virginia City at a very early date in the history of this place, and its business, as since conducted, has included the purchase of bullion and a general banking business. This is now the only banking establishment of the city. The first representative in charge of the bank was J. A. Ralston, who was succeeded by Senator William Sharon, who had the management of the institution for fourteen years. He was then succeeded by A. J. Ralston, who continued in charge for eight years, and it was then in charge of J. P. Martin, who occupied the position for ten years. In 1888 J. W. Eckley was appointed and has since been its manager. During its business career the bank has purchased a large amount of the bullion that has been produced in the many rich mines in this vicinity and has shipped it to the home bank in San Francisco. The main institution also had an agency at Gold Hill for a number of years, but the business there was consolidated with that of the Virginia City Agency. The bank has proved an institution of value in this locality and is much appreciated by the people of Virginia City.

Source:
A History of the State of Nevada: Its Resources and People
By Thomas Wren, Lewis Publishing Company
Published by The Lewis publishing company, 1904