CHRISTIAN L. ECKLON 

 

Christian L. Ecklon, butcher at Folsom, was born in Augustinburg, Denmark, now under the German government, March 17, 1832. His father was a farmer and butcher, as also were all the sons. In 1852 Mr. Ecklon came to America, landing at Boston and remaining four years in or near that city. At Brighton, near Boston, he was engaged in the butcher business. In 1856 he came to California, by the Nicaragua route, landing at San Francisco the middle of August. First he followed mining at Negro Bar two years, with no success; and ever since 1858 he has followed his favorite calling, butchering and the supply of the meat market. In the earlier days he had two shops – one in Folsom and one at Mormon Island; and he had considerable business in adjoining towns. Since the mining excitement died away the area of his trade has become confined to Folsom. In 1872 he bought the suspension bridge of Kinsey & Whitely, of San Francisco, and lived on the bridge collecting toll for ten years; he then sold it to the county for $8,000. In 1878 or 1879, Colonel Greely came from New York and introduced the signal service on the bridge. Interesting Mr. Ecklon in the matter, he turned it over to him, and he kept it until he sold the bridge, and then it was carried on by J. H. Sturges until it was discontinued in 1887. Mr. Ecklon is a Republican, casting his first vote for J. C. Fremont, and he has been a local leader in his party. Mr. Ecklon was married in 1860 to Mary Keffe, a native of Ireland, and they have three sons – Charles Henry, Lorenz Gottfried and Christian Frederick. The two eldest are engaged with their father in his business.