My Genealogy Hound

WILLIAM H. ECKERT, a native of Lehigh County, is. one of the most influential citizens of Allentown, where he is leading a retired life. In the upbuilding of the city he has aided very materially, and now, being the possessor of a handsome fortune, he has determined to spend his declining years in peace and rest. He is the son of William Eckert, also a native of this county, who was born in 1800 and died in 1865. He in turn was the son of William Sr., whose ancestors came from Germany early in the history of this country. The latter departed this life in 1848, when in his seventy-eighth year. William, of this sketch, was born December 5, 1826, and has passed almost his entire life in his native county. His mother, whose maiden name was Elizabeth Gudekuntz, was born in this county December 4, 1797. His father for a number of years lived in Allentown, where he owned a mill. He participated as a soldier in the War of 1812, and while he was away from home the mother of our subject operated the mill, grinding the grain for the inhabitants of Allentown. She joined the Lutheran Church when thirteen years of age, and through her entire life lived up to the faith taught by that denomination.

The parental family included seven children, of whom William H. was the fourth in order of birth and is the only survivor. He spent his boyhood days on the home farm, and accompanied his parents to this city. When only twelve years of age he learned to manufacture cigars, and January 21, 1856, entered that business and conducted a large and paying trade. In 1875 he manufactured a very superior quality of cigars, which he sold readily in New York City.

Since 1878 our subject has been retired from active business life, giving his attention to looking after his private interests. He is a stockholder in the Allentown Hardware Company, and owns a large amount of land in Nebraska. In local affairs he has always taken an active part, and for several years was a member of the Common Council. He is affable and kind, and nothing gives him greater delight than to make those about him comfortable and happy. In politics he votes with the Republicans, believing that party to be in the right.

In 1846 Mr. Eckert married Miss Lydia L. Eckert, a native of this county, and the daughter of John Eckert. Her great-grandfather, Henry Franz, and his entire family, with the exception of the grandfather, were massacred by the Indians in their home in this county. Mrs. Eckert died February 8, 1894, when in the sixty-seventh year of her age.

Of the twelve children born to our subject and wife, three are deceased. Seven daughters and two sons are living, of whom we make the following mention: Annie C. is the wife of Jesse Lehman, and makes her home in Lincoln, Neb.; Sara E. is Mrs. Samuel B. Berger, of Allentown; Maria E. married John F. Fetzler, and is residing near Beemer, Neb.; Ella S. is the wife of W. Otto Blumer, and also makes her home in the above place in Nebraska; Walter lives near Beemer; Clarissa L., now Mrs. Llewellyn Woodring, lives in Fremont, Neb.; Elizabeth L. is the wife of Alfred Nagle, and lives in this city; Alfred W. married Tillie Brong, and also lives here; and Mary A. is the wife of Clinton Beck, of Allentown.

In addition to the above record of the life of Mr. Eckert, we present the following facts from his autobiography:

“I am aware that in writing this sketch it will be liable to encounter some critics, and that my long-established character for moral integrity and strict adherence to truth is perilously jeopardized thereby. Nevertheless, with unflinching zeal do I hereby set forth this narrative, and to any who after its perusal desire either to consult with me or to obtain more exact details, I will gladly give a hearing. My object in penning these lines is not to make some of the regretful periods in my life prominent, but with the hope that some of my fellow-men may read and be benefited thereby.

“I was born in Salisbury Township on the 5th of December, 1826, and the well known Scripture quotation, ‘that man is born unto trouble’ was fulfilled very early in my life. When but three years old I began to realize that some day I would lose my good mother, and though hardly old enough to begin to think for myself, the thought gave me a great deal of anxiety and I was often forced to weep over the realization that one whom I had already learned to love, and who became so dear to me later in my life, would be taken from me. I never permitted my mother nor any one else, however, to see my sorrow, for then, as at present, I did not believe in making those about me unhappy. When I was eleven years of age my parents removed to Allentown, where some years later I learned the trade of a cigar-maker.

“At the age of seventeen years, owing to a misunderstanding with my father, I left home, and took up my residence in Newark, N. J. There I found employment with a man by the name of Printzhoeffer, who treated me very kindly and repeatedly asked me to take charge of the store during his absence. I was in Newark one year, worked faithfully, but lived high. During my residence there I was taken sick, and although Mrs. Brown and daughter, with whom I boarded, volunteered to take care of me, I returned to Allentown. When I had fully recovered, I left for Connecticut, but that state did not suit me and I returned home. Then I worked in Fogelsville for Nathan Weiler for one week. Again I came home and my father purchased some tobacco, from which I made cigars until my marriage, in September, 1846. After this I worked four weeks for Jacob Schell, at Griesemer’s Hill.

“Then my father and father-in-law started my brother-in-law, Adam H. Eckert, and myself in business. We worked faithfully for a while, but could not stand prosperity, and through gambling and drink we soon had no business, no stock, no shop. Shortly after this failure I started a shop on Hamilton Street, below Seventh, but the same indiscretions that caused the unsuccessful termination of my previous attempt to do business again produced the same results. Then I started a shop on Hamilton Street, near Eighth, in a house owned by Hon. Peter Newhard. This venture also proved a failure.

“I then began to work for John F. Ruhe & Son, and was with them continuously for almost five years. After that I continued to work when it suited my fancy, and to waste my substance in riotous living, hoping, however, when I was in my sober thoughts that the day would yet come when I would be saved from the curse. This was my sincere desire, notwithstanding the fact that I did comparatively little to carry it into effect. I did all sorts of foolish things, among them being a visit to all my creditors to ask them for their accounts against me, although I had no money to pay them, and very little prospect of getting any if I continued my present mode of living. I often overheard the remark that I must be losing my reason. About that time I called upon Charles L. Martin and begged him to give me some medicine to cure my appetite for liquor. He did so, but it failed, and it seemed as if I could not be stopped on my road to destruction. One day, with some of my companions in sin, I started to roam through the country, and a few days later I found myself in bed at a tavern at Mechanicsville, sick from my debauchery and without a penny in my pocket. I started to walk to Catasauqua, with the intention of raising money there to buy more drink. On the way I stopped at a tavern and got a drink, although I had informed the boy in charge that I had no money to pay for it.

“Then the crisis came. While the glass was yet pressed to my lips, I besought the good Lord to save me from my enemy, rum, and I went from that place with the determination that I would lead a different life. On my way from the tavern I stopped at a crossroad about a quarter of a mile away, and there I stood in the snow fully fifteen minutes, fighting the battle against drink, asking that God would give me strength to enable me to turn homeward and become a better man. The answer to my prayer came in a peculiar manner. While in the midst of a desperate struggle against my great enemy, a horse and sleigh came along in the direction of my home. I asked the man whether I could ride along, and he cheerfully granted my request. On the way, I said to the driver, whose name was Fogelman, ‘Now I am saved, for to-day I have taken the last drop of liquor for my lifetime.’ He had confidence in what I said, and practically demonstrated it by inviting me to accompany him to his home for dinner, which I accepted. My determination to turn over a new leaf made me feel like a new man. From Mr. Fogelman ‘s house I returned home, and my father gave me his usual and much-deserved lecture. I interrupted him and told him of my resolution never to drink again, and from that day to this I have, with the help of God, kept my promise to my father.

“My eleven years’ experience with liquor, and my subsequent life, which I have endeavored to live according to the true standard of morality and Christianity, are convincing proof to myself that any man who so desires (no matter to what depths he may have fallen) can be saved with the help of God and his own energies.

“During my eleven years spent in drink, and nearly thirty-nine years as a temperate man, I have learned that there is very little difference between the rumseller and a great many ministers and some prominent church people. In the case of the liquor dealer, the results of his work one sees everywhere, and nine out of every ten engaged in the traffic will not deny the evil effects of their business. I have noticed, on the other hand, that many ministers and church members do not practice what they preach, and though fighting with each other, etc., probably do more to keep people away from their Maker than the rum-seller.

“After I had conquered rum I had considerable trouble to establish my good intentions and gain the confidence of my fellow-men. For three years I struggled to make ends meet, during which time my good wife passed through a severe illness, and oftentimes I did not have ten cents to my name; but I prayed and hoped for the best, and at last everybody seemed to have confidence in me. My father-in-law furnished me money to buy stock, and thus enabled me to begin work at my trade, cigar-making. While in New York to buy tobacco I called on my brother-in-law, who was in the employ of Box & Edmunds, tobacco dealers. The day following I was requested to call on the members of the firm, who made a proposition to me that I should manufacture cigars for them from their tobacco. This I did for three years to the entire satisfaction of the firm and myself.

“I was elected a Deacon of Zion Reformed Church, and prayed to God frequently for wisdom and strength that I might live a just and true life, and by living thus be a living example to others. Believing that Zion Reformed Church was not conducted as it should be, and also that God was leading me, I severed my connection with the congregation, and my good wife and I attached ourselves to the United Brethren Church, to which I belonged for a time.

“Believing as I do in the Bible, I cannot consistently agree with those who say that women should be permitted to preach. The Bible says, ‘Thou shalt not steal,’ and I believe it. The same Bible says women shall not preach, and I am bound to believe that as much as the other. But in this, as in many other instances, the ministers shape matters to suit their convenience, comfort and temporal welfare. In many cases they work to the influential, or rather the rich, for the accomplishment of their selfish desires in the shape of large salaries.

“I believe in God’s laws, and that they cover everthing, and can therefore not agree with those who change His laws, either by adding to them or taking from them. To those that do this, I would say, read carefully Revelation xxii: 18-19. I believe in a good and honorable ministry, the church properly conducted, the education of our people, and last, but not least, that all things shall be done according to God’s will.

“For what I am to-day I thank God and a good father, a kind and loving mother, who prayed continuously for the welfare of her children, and a good Christian wife, who stood by me through all my trials, all of whom I hope and pray to meet in that beautiful home beyond the skies.”