A Pioneer Family (Part 3 of 3) Mr. and Mrs. Eck lived at Rocky Comfort for above five years. About this time, Texarkana was talked of as the coming town of that section and the Eck's decided to move where there would be better advantages for their children. They came from near today's Forman to Texarkana by wagon, being a two day journey. This was in 1876. Their first residence was in Arkansas. They then moved to Third and Spruce where they lived while they were building their home at 321 Spruce Street. (the old home is today a vacant lot). From the first, their interest in the religious, civic, and social life of the town was foremost, and it was always this example they set before their family. Their first effort was to build a church and a school for their children. The first church was built where the Sacred Heart Church now stands. It was two story and served for both church and school. Mr. Eck's efforts were untiring, working always, giving tirelessly of his energies and finances. He was not of the nature to let the left hand know what the right hand gave, but he was always there to give and to teach his children to give. Mrs. Eck was organist for many years, often playing with a child on her knees, and both sang in the choir, Mr. Eck a tenor and Mrs. Eck , alto. There was no activity in the church they were not engaged in. Mr. Eck for many years was secretary of the church books, and in charge of the cemetery, and served on the school board of both Catholic School and the Public School and was City Alderman from Ward One for may years. He was City Auditor for at least thirty years, and when there were any questions of justice his advice was always sought. He was always a friend of the poor man and believed where he will be remembered longest and where he did the greatest service to his country was the interest he took in the strangers who came to this country. He was always ready to explain the ways and laws of this country and seemed to take great pains to gain the confidence of these people, and never was content until he had secures naturalization papers for them. Besides her duty as mother to a large family, Mrs. Eck devoted her energies to her church and to the nursing and care of the sick friends around her. Her greatest desire was to serve God in the Sanctuary and was Sacristan until the last few years when the younger members have graciously undertaken the work. She was housekeeper for the early Pastor's of the Sacred Heart Church, and all visiting priests and didters found a welcome in her home. Mr. Eck died Deptember 20, 1920; but Mrs. Eck at the age of 86 years (her age at the time of this writing), is still an active member of the Sacred Heart Church. **************************************************************** USGENWEB ARCHIVES NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by any other organization or persons. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material, must obtain the written consent of the contributor, or the legal representative of the submitter, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent. ****************************************************************