Sunday’s Obituary: Clara Eckman

Clara Eckman, the daughter of John and Catherin Cresswell Eckman, was hubby’s 2x great aunt. Her brother Charles was his great grandfather. In every census record, in every church record, and even on her death certificate she is referred to as Clara - Clara E. Eckman. That is, until I found her obituary in the Lancaster Daily Intelligencer.

Her death certificate shows she died on 4 March 1927. On that day, Friday, 4 March 1927, headline reads: Laura E. Eckman dies early today in New Providence. Laura?

The obituary reads:

Miss. Laura E. Eckman, daughter of the late John and Kathryn Eckman, died this morning at 4:30 o’clock at her home in New Providence following a three day illness.

She was a seamstress all her life and was a member of the Zion Reformed Church of New Providence.

She was a direct descendant of John Eckman, the first settler in New Providence, who arrived in the year 1732 from Germany, and resided on the land given by patent in 1735 by William Penn.

The following brothers and sisters survive: Mrs. Estella M. Eckman, New Providence; Darius J. Eckman, of this city; Miss. Winona S., Miss. Bernice and Oscar D. Eckman, all at home; and Mrs. Edith Costello, of New Providence.

The funeral will be held Sunday afternoon at 1:30 o’clock with all services at the home.

Internment will be made in the Eckman plot in Zion Reformed Church.

Why – in her obituary – was she suddenly called Laura?

Sunday’s Obituary is a genealogical prompt of GeneaBloggers.

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