Louis Eckhardt Biography >From "History of Davenport and Scott County" Vol. II by Harry E. Downer-S. J. Clarke Publishing Co. 1910 Chicago. To view the picture of Louis Eckhardt that accompanies this biography, please go to the main Scott county, Iowa page at: http://www.celticcousins.net/scott/ and click on Pictures/ Documents section. Surnames: Eckhardt, Greve, Mundt. Among the efficient and popular county officials of Scott county is numbered Louis Eckhardt, who since 1906 has ably served in the position of sheriff. He was born in Davenport, Iowa, on the 23d of October, 1867, his parents being Charles and Christine (Greve) Eckhardt, who, though natives of Germany, were married in Davenport. The father, whose birth occurred in 1821, crossed the Atlantic to the United States in 1848, landing at New Orleans, Louisiana. After residing for a short time at St. Louis, Missouri, he came up the river to Davenport, Iowa, in 1850. He was a skilled mechanic and carpenter, with which trade he had become familiar in his native land, but after working at that occupation for a number of years he became identified with the lumber industry, acting as salesman for the French & Davis Company during the period of the Civil war. He next turned his attention to the grocery business, while subsequently he entered the service of the Mueller Lumber Company in th! e capacity of salesman and was thus employed for a number of years or until he passed away on the 11th of October, 1885. His death was the occasion of deep and widespread regret, for he was a well known and highly respected citizen whose upright and honorable life won him the confidence and regard of all with whom he was associated. Unto him and his wife were born nine children, five of whom reached years of maturity. Louis Eckhardt, who was the eight in order of birth in his father's family, pursued his education in the public schools until he had attained the age of fourteen years. Having chosen the occupation of a barber as a congenial life work, he then devoted himself to the mastery of that trade and it was by reason of his untiring industry, indefatigable energy and excellent business ability that he eventually became the proprietor of the leading barbering establishment in Davenport. In addition to his interests in this connection he also gave considerable attention to public affairs and for two terms capably served as alderman of the fourth ward. He resigned that office, however, in order to enter upon the duties of sheriff, to which position he was elected in 1906. A democrat in politics, he is a prominent figure in the local ranks of his party-a fact which was proven by his election to the vice presidency of the Iowa State Sheriff's Association at the state convention of sherif! fs. On the 19th of August, 1896, Mr. Eckhardt was united in marriage to Miss Louise Mundt, a native of Davenport and a daughter of F. W. Mundt. They are now the parents of two children, Louise C. and Herbert W. Fraternally Mr. Eckhardt is identified with the Masons, the Knights of Pythias and the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, being the past exalted ruler of the last named order. He well deserves the proud American title of a self-made man, for by perseverance determination and honorable effort he has overthrown the obstacles which barred his path to success and has reached the goal of prosperity, while his genuine worth, broad mind and public spirit have made him a director of public thought and action. Both he and his wife have remained residents of Davenport throughout their entire lives and they well merit the high regard and esteem which is so uniformly accorded them. ~~~~~~*~~~~~~ Elaine Rathmann ACC Scott Co, IA USGenWeb Project List Adm: *IA-CIVIL-WAR *IA-DANES