NMAM: William C Eckman

William Chester Eckman served in the US Army during World War I. Today we honor him as we continue our National Military Appreciation Month.

He registered for the draft in June 1917. He was single at that time, according to his Draft Registration. He served in the Army from 27 May 1918 to 20 January 1919. PFC Eckman was assigned to the Dep Brig Rec Detachment. He served in Co K 314 Inf WWI.

William was born 20 February 1889 in Cochranville, Chester County, PA. His parents were Henry E. and Phoebe Ella (nee Fox) Eckman. The 1900, 1910, 1920 and 1930 Censuses show William, still single, living in East Fallowfield with his parents and siblings. His siblings were Anna Lecritia (b. September 1891), George Henry (b. March 1898) and Jacob Derwood (b. 1903). Henry was 21 and Ella was 19 at the time of their marriage in 1888. Everyone was born in Pennsylvania. Ella does appear in the 1940 Census as a widow. None of the children live with her. Instead she has a 20 year old lodger named Naomi Burns.

At the age of 89, he passed on 19 May 1978. He is buried at St. Cecila's Cemetery in Coatesville, Chester County, PA.

St Cecila's is one of the Roman Catholic churches in town. It closed down a few years back though the cemetery is still obviously used and maintained. The parish fell under the Archdiocease of Philadelphia.

Parental Note:
Henry was born 13 June 1862. Phoebe was born 17 May 1869. Henry and Phoebe Fox applied for their marriage license on 17 December 1887 in Chester County.

Sources:
Ancestry.com. U.S., World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2005.

Ancestry.com. U.S., Department of Veterans Affairs BIRLS Death File, 1850-2010 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2011.

National Archives and Records Administration (NARA); Washington, D.C.; State Headquarters: Pennsylvania; Microfilm Series: M1951; Microfilm Roll: 82.

Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission; Harrisburg, Pennsylvania; Pennsylvania Veterans Burial Cards, 1929-1990; Archive Collection Number: Series 2-2; Folder Number: 596.

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