John Ecker, Mayor of North
McGregor, was born in Ashland County, Ohio, July 24,1841,
a son of Dr. John Ecker and Katherine, nee Ihrig, natives
of the Keystone State. He was partly educated in his
native State, where he resided until about fifteen years
old, when his parents came to Iowa, settling in West
Union, Fayette County. His father engaged in the practice
of his profession there until his death, which occurred
in June, 1871. John attended school there until April 24,
1861, when he enlisted in Company F, Third Iowa Infantry,
being among the first to offer himself to his country's
cause. He served during the entire war, and was mustered
out at Louisville, Ky., and discharged at Davenport, Ia.,
July 22, 1865. He enlisted as a private, was promoted to
Chief Musician, and during the Atlanta campaign, to
Sergeant-Major of the regiment, which finally became so
reduced that they were ordered to consolidate with the
Second Iowa, and Mr. Ecker was then promoted to Second
Lieutenant. The Captain being on the Divison General's
staff, and the First Lieutenant at home, sick, Mr. Ecker
had charge of the company until the close of the war. He
was wounded at the battle of Shiloh, on April 7, 1863; at
the battle of Atlanta, on July 21, 1864, and again on
July 22, 1864. At the close of the war he returned to
West Uniion, and soon after entered the Commercial
College of McGregor, where he remained one year. He then
began work as a machinist in the C., M. & St. P. R.
R. shops, where he is still employed. He was married Oct.
20, 1867, to Mary Gruver, of Ashland County, Ohio. They
have six children-- Charles, Alta, Lena, Gerta, Mattie
and Cretia. Mr. Ecker owns thirty-one acres of land in
McGregor, chiefly laid out in town lots. He has held the
offices of Recorder and Clerk, and in March, 1882, was
called to that of Mayor. In politics he is decidedly
Republican. source: History of Clayton
County, Iowa, 1882, p. 976-977 |