This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Surnames: ECKLES, HOPSON, DODD, KILGORE, CAMBRON, NICHOLS, MURDOCK, SIGHTS Classification: Biography Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/rw/Eg.2ADI/2339 Message Board Post: Calvin Americus Eckles biography C.A. Eckles is the owner of a fine farming property comprising three hundred and eight-seven acres in Durham township on section 13, and he also has eighty acres on section 7, La Harpe township, together with five acres of timber in the latter township. Starting out in life on his own account at the age of fourteen years, and providing to a considerable extent for his mother and sisters, he certainly deserves much credit for the success he has achieved and his life record should serve as a source of inspiration to others, proving what may be accomplished through perserverance and close adherence to the rules which govern unfaltering diligence and unswerving integrity. A native of Adams county, Illinois, he was born in 1853, and is a son of Samuel and Diana (Hopson) Eckles, the former a native of Virginia and the latter of Ohio. Both were married twice. The father was a carpenter by trade and removed to Illinois in 1851, becoming a resident of Durham township, Hancock county, in the fall of 1854. He lived the life of an honest, upright and enterprising farmer, was loyal to the best interests of the community and gave his political support to the democracy. He died in 1876, while the mother of our subject passed away in 1872.* Both were interred in Durham cemetery. After losing her first husband the mother became the wife of Samuel Eckles. Unto Samuel and Diana Eckles were born six children: C.A.; Emma C., who died at the age of eleven years; Narcissa B., deceased wife of Horace Dodd, who has also passed away; Johanna, the wife of Isaac G. Kilgore, of La Harpe; Ella, the wife of John Kilgore of Nebraska; and Mahala, the wife of Cha! rles Cambron, living in Lacrosse, Illinois. C.A. Eckles was only about a year old when his parents removed from Adams county to Durham township and here in the public schools he was educated. He lost his father when fourteen years of age and remained with his mother, assisting her in the work of the farm, until twenty-six years of age, when he went to Colorado, working in the Leadville mines for two years. Following his marriage he settled on the old homestead in Durham township and lived in the old house until 1902, when he erected an elegant country home, supplied with all modern improvements and conveniences. He has also built fine barns and sheds, has built fences and put up windmills and is now the owner of one of the model farms of the county, comprising three hundred and eight-seven acres on section 13, Durham township, and eighty acres on section 7, La Harpe township, in addition to which he owns a five-acre timber tract. He is a general farmer and also raises considerable stock, his farming interests bei! ng so carefully, systematically and admirably managed that he seems to have realized the utmost possibility for successful accomplishment. In 1882, Mr. Eckles was married to Miss Frances B. Nichols, who was born in La Harpe township, in 1859, a daughter of Joseph and Thirza (Murdock) Nichols, both of whom were natives of Pennsylvania and came to Hancock county in 1852, the father settling on a farm in La Harpe township, where he became an extensive dealer in stock. Both he and his wife have now passed away. Of their seven children, only two are living: Mrs. Eckles; and Ida, wife of David R. Sights, of La Harpe township. Mr. and Mrs. Eckles had four children: Amy, Ada and Marion, all at home; and Inez, who died at the age of two years. Mr. and Mrs. Eckles are members of the Methodist Protestant church and he belongs to the Durham Lodge of Woodmen and to the La Harpe Lodge of Odd Fellows, in which he has passed all the chairs. In politics he is a democrat and has served for two terms as supervisor of Durham township, also as highway commissioner and as a member of the school board. His fellow townsmen have also given other evidences of their confidence in him and he is in every way worthy of their trust. - Publication unknown. * These death dates are not accurate. Samuel died in 1868 [not 1876], and Diana died in 1885 [not 1872]. Estimated publication date: 1898-1910 After May 1898 - Horace Dodd's death Before 28 Feb 1910 - Marion's marriage.