From contractor to bartender

by Richard Copeland
Local Columnist

July 03, 2009 02:52 pm

— The Eckert family came to Logansport in a roundabout way. Ignatius came to the United States in 1848, from Bavaria, Germany. His future wife came from Germany a few years later. Ignatius married Barbara Koechler Eckert in Massillon, Ohio. They later moved to Doylestown, Ohio.
John was born to them on Dec. 11, 1854. The family moved to Huntington in 1858. Ignatius followed the building trade and operated a small grocery while living in Huntington. They lived in Huntington until 1868 when Ignatius moved his family to Logansport. Mr. Eckert followed his trade in Logansport doing brick work, plastering and building contracting. Barbara and Ignatius had 10 children. Among them were Catherine Schubach, Julia Veirs, Ignatius, Rose Barshop, Lizzie Wecht, John and Christian.
John grew up in Huntington and received a practical education in the parochial school, as well as a good foundation in the arts of brick laying and plastering. In 1875, John tired of the outside work and decided to become a bartender. He then opened his own saloon on Aug. 13, 1881. In 1883, he bought the saloon that was situated on the northwest corner of Third and Market streets. 
John married his neighbor, Elizabeth Schneeberger, on June 30, 1881. She was the daughter of Mathias Schneeberger. They had five children: Rosa who died at age 5; William born on Feb. 20, 1884; Mamie on Oct. 10, 1896; Agnes on Aug. 11, 1889; and Lulu on April 2, 1892.
Mrs. Eckert died on Dec. 7, 1896, leaving four quite young children. The Eckert family resided at 224 or 228 Eel River Ave. The three girls became Mrs. Claude Wickard, Mrs. Thomas Bradfield and Mrs. Earl Justice.
Mr. Eckert then married a widow, Mrs. Edna Bucher, who was living with her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Seiter. The Seiter family lived next door to the Eckert family. Edna Bucher brought two other children to the family, Dr. Carl Bucher of Philadelphia, Pa., and E.V. Lucher of Chicago.
John was very involved with St. Joseph Church organizations. He joined the St. Joseph Benevolent Society, the Knights of St. John and the Catholic Knights of America. John became quite wealthy and owned several houses in Logansport and several farms in the county.
Edna Eckert was killed in a traffic accident late in the afternoon of Aug. 12, 1910. She had gone for a drive with Mrs. Bertha Keip, Miss Agnes Eckert, Carl Bucher, Anna Wagner and Charles Lambert.
Charles was Mrs. Keip’s driver. They drove up to Lake Manitou and planned on returning to Logansport via Rochester. Mr. Lambert was driving quite rapidly and saw a train passing that then stopped on a siding.
Mr. Lambert proceeded on to cross the tracks, but a second train was coming and slammed into the car. Mr. Lambert, Mrs. Eckert and Miss Anna Wagner were killed.
John Eckert died on Aug. 16, 1931.
• Richard B. Copeland, a Cass County historian, may be reached at ptnews@pharostribune.com.

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