This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Surnames: ECKLES, HOPSON, QUICK, HAINES, ALLEN, KILGORE, NICHOLS, Classification: Biography Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/rw/Eg.2ADI/2338 Message Board Post: Calvin Americus Eckles, a retired farmer living at LaHarpe, was formerly one of the successful farmers of La Harpe Township, and still owns considerable farm property. He was born in Adams County, Ill., October 21, 1853, a son of Samuel and Diana (Hopson) Eckles, natives of Virginia and Ohio. The father was a glass blower by trade. His first wife was a Mrs. Quick, and they had four children, as follows: James, who lives in Texas; John, who died in Idaho; Rebecca Ann, who is the widow of James Haines, of Dallas City, Ill.; and Samuel, who lives in Sullivan Co., Mo. His second wife, who was the mother of Calvin A., was a widow, having been married formerly to Robert Allen*, by whom she had five children, namely: Ella; Mahala; Robert, who lives in Nebraska; Henry, who lives in Maysville, Mo.; and Thomas, who lives in Colorado. After their marriage, the parents moved to Durham Township, where the father owned 106 acres of land, partially improved, and he also owned tw! enty-five acres of timber land. Both parents died on this farm. Their children were as follows: Calvin A.; Emma, who was accidently killed, by a kick from a horse when she was eleven years old; Narciss, who is deceased; and Johanna, who became the wife of Isaac Kilgore, a merchant of La Harpe. Calvin A. Eckles lived with his parents until11879, he then went to Leadville, Col., and did freighting for the government, for the Ute Indian Reservation, until 1882, when he returned to Hancock County, and remained with his parents until his marriage, which took place January 12, 1883, when he was united with Frances B. Nichols. She was born in La Harpe Township, a daughter of Joseph and Theresa (Mordock) Nichols, born in Green County, Pa. After his marriage, Mr. Eckles lived in a portion of the homestead for a time and then bought it, and added to it until he now has 387-acres all in one body. He has a fine modern frame house, and also another dwelling, and the whole place is finely improved. In addition to this, he owns 283 acres of land in La Harpe Township, all of which is improved, but he rents this to a tenant and his son is on the home place. In the summer of 1917 he had a modern bungalow built at La Harpe, into which he moved in February, 1918. He and hi! s wife became the parents of the following children: Amy, who is Mrs. Kent Campbell of La Harpe Township and they have one child, Vera M.; Ada, who is at home; and Marion, who is on the home farm. He married Mollie Bushnell, and they have three children, Francis M., Laura L., and Marion B. Mr. and Mrs. Eckles belong to the Protestant Methodist Episcopal Church, of which he is a trustee. He is a Democrat, and served for two terms as Supervisor of Durham Township, and was also a road commissioner and a school director for many years. His fraternal connections are with the Odd Fellows of La Harpe, and the Modern Woodsmen of America, of Durham Township. * Her first husband was Washington F. Allen. Robert was their son. Pg 1191 - Historical Encyclopedia of Illinois & History of Hancock County, Vol. II, by Charles J. Scofield, Munsell Publishing Co., Chicago, Illinois 1921