Santa
Clara County
Biographies
JOHN ECKHARDT
John Eckhardt, a native of
Germany, was born April 15, 1867, in Bracht, near
Marburg, which was the birthplace of his father, Conrad Eckhardt. His
grandfather Eckhardt was a well-to-do citizen of that town, where he followed
the trade of a mill-wright. (sic)
Born, bred and educated in Germany, Conrad Eckhardt learned the mill-wright’s (sic) trade of his father and worked at it during
his earlier life. Immigrating to America in 1872 with his family, which then
consisted of his wife and two sons, he came directly to California, and for
four years was employed in agricultural pursuits in Colusa county.
Removing thence to the Capay valley, in Yolo county,
he purchased four hundred acres of land, from which he improved a valuable
farm. Erecting substantial buildings and a commodious residence, he there
followed general farming most successfully until his death, December 22, 1903.
He was a man of upright principles and undoubted integrity, and a consistent
member of the Reformed Church. He married Dorothea Kraft, who was born near
Marburg, Germany, and who now resides on the home estate in Yolo county. Of their union four sons and two daughters were born
and five of the children are living, namely: John, the special subject of this
review; Nicholas, Carl Alexander, Edward C. and Elizabeth D. The four younger
children all reside on the home farm.
A lad of five years when he came
across the ocean with his parents, John Eckhardt obtained his early education
in the public schools of Yolo county and afterward entered the Garden City
Business College in San Jose, where he was graduated in the spring of 1886.
Returning home he worked on the home farm for two years, and then entered the employ
of John Stock & Sons, plumbers, with whom he served an apprenticeship of
nearly four years. Continuing at his trade, he also took up engineering,
becoming a competent manager of the running of stationary engines. Being
appointed, in 1899, to his present position as chief engineer of the San Jose
State Normal School by its board of trustees, he has since had entire charge of
the plumbing, boilers, machinery and water supply at the institution.
June 28, 1903, Mr. Eckhardt married
Mae Lancaster, their union being solemnized in San Francisco. Mrs. Eckhardt was
born March 12, 1880, in Los Gatos, Cal., the daughter of Henry Lancaster, and
the descendant of a family of great prominence. Mr. Eckhardt is an influential
member of California No. 6, National Association of Stationary Engineers, of
which he has served three terms as vice-president. Fraternally he belongs to
the Ancient Order of United Workmen and the Independent Order of Foresters.
Transcribed By: Cecelia M. Setty.
Source: History of the State of California & Biographical Record of Coast
Counties, California by Prof. J. M. Guinn, A. M., Pages 1322-1323. The
Chapman Publishing Co., Chicago, 1904.
© 2016 Cecelia M. Setty.