Skip to main content

Jacob Keen Eckman

Today being Military Monday, this post started as what I thought would be a story about an Eckman who had served in World War I. I first found Jacob Keen Eckman by his draft registration papers in 1942 and traced backwards since he was 63 then. I thought perhaps I would find in the first World War. Jacob however had his own story to tell and aside from registering in the drafts, no proof that he actually enlisted or was drafted exists.

In April of 1942, I imagine Jacob read in the daily newspaper about the Allied air raid on harbor city Kupang Timor, about the Destroyer Roper sinking the German U-85 just off our east coast, and how operations had begun to destroy the Sobibor Concentration Camp. Like many other men in America, Jacob Keen Eckman registered in the draft for World War II. Jacob though was 63 at the time.



The 1940 Census shows him and his wife Bertha living in Eden Township. Living with them was a 23 year old domestic named Evelyn Caldwell. She was living with them in 1930, at the age of 13, also but was listed as a lodger. Jacob and Bertha also gave board then to an 18 year old William Edwards. Both William and Jacob listed their occupations as farmer.

The 1920 Census reveals Jacob and Bertha in Eden Township living and working the farm. Living with them is 12 year old George Emore. It (see below) looks like it says that George is Jacob's son however the word between "wife" and "son" is not clear enough to say for sure.



Jacob had also registered for World War I in 1918. The draft registration card reads almost identical, except it reveals a younger man with brown hair instead of gray. Jacob and Bertha owned a 30 acre farm in Eden Township, according to a directory from 1914.

He was born on the first of January in 1879 in Providence Township, Lancaster County to Daniel H. & Martha C. Eckman.

The 1910 Census finds Jacob, age 30 and single,  living with his parents. In addition to his parents, living there were: 23 year old Maude B., 19 year old Lottie V. and two year old H. Hertzler Eckman. Daniel listed the toddler as his grandson. Martha notes she has had five children and all five are still living.

The 1900 Census reveals that Daniel was born in April of 1860 and Martha in October 1858. The census also reveals their other children. D. Martin, 18, was born April 1882. Effie M., 15, was born November 1884. Bertha M., 12, was born July 1887. Lottie V., 10, was born May 1890.

The 1880 Census shows one year old Jacob with his young parents. Daniel was a farmer and they lived in Strasburg Township.

Jacob lived a long life, passing away in February of 1964, according to the Social Security Death Index.

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Coatesville's First Serial Killer

Young Alexander Meyer was a disturbed and angry young man with some major issues. He had failed sixth and seventh grade, and instead of having to repeat eighth grade again, he finally gave up on school. At age 16 he quit Downingtown Junior High. Meyer is not a relative, nor are his victims (that I am aware). I stumbled upon young Alex while reading Tortured Minds: Pennsylvania's Most Bizarre - But Forgotten - Murders by Tammy Mal. On 11 February 1937 Alexander Thweatt Meyer killed young Helen Moyer as she walked home from school in Coatesville along Modena Road. She was not his first. The jury was out only three minutes after hearing Dr. Michael Margolis' testimony on the death of Helen Moyer. The jury determined Meyer had murdered Moyer and should be held for first degree murder. The jury also condemned the parole system which had released Meyer back into the public, after having served just 14 months in Huntingdon Reformatory, for the murder of two other girls - Anna Blasc

Thaddeus Stevens at the Lancaster Convention Center

Within the Lancaster Convention Center (Lancaster, PA) is a small section dedicated to Thaddeus Stevens and Lydia Hamilton Smith. The section is known as the Stevens & Smith Historic Site. It is scheduled for development this year. At the moment one can only get a glimpse of it through the Convention Center or by peeking in from the outside. Here at Queen and Vine Streets in Lancaster City, Pennsylvania, Thaddeus Stevens had his law office. Stevens was an abolitionist. An abolitionist is a person who favors the abolition of a practice or institution, especially capital punishment or (formerly) slavery. Stevens was born 4 April 1792 to Joshua Stevens and Sarah (Sally) Morrill in Danville Vermont. One of four children, he attended Vermont University from 1810 to 1812 when the War prompted its closure. He then went to Dartmouth, where he graduated in 1814. He then studied law and found himself set up in Gettysburg, PA in 1816. He practiced law there until 1828 when he found hi

Living History Offers Opportunity to Step Back in Time

Have you ever wondered what it would have been like to work the fields on a plantation during the Revolutionary War? Or stroll through an 18th century village? Or fight in battle during the Civil War?  Living history  offers an interactive perspective which incorporates  historical  activities and dress providing a sense of stepping back in time. So, how can YOU step back in time? Rock Ford volunteer Nancy Bradley in the Study of the mansion Rock Ford Plantation, in Lancaster County, PA, will be hosting a Volunteer Tour Guide Recruitment Event on Sunday, 22 March. They need tour guides for its upcoming tour season.  Built circa 1794, Rock Ford was the home of Edward Hand and his family. Hand, an Irish immigrant and physician, served as Adjutant General to George Washington during the Revolutionary War.   Volunteer tour guides at Rock Ford bring the past to life for museum visitors. A tour guide can be any person aged 18 years and up. No experience is necessary, and trainin