I came accross the following in my research of my Eckert ancestors. Although Thomas is not one of my ancestors, I thought this might be of interest to other Eckert researcher in Monroe and St. Clair Counties. Peggy Kolm [email protected] ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The Biographical encyclopaedia of Illinois of the nineteenth century. Philadelphia : Galaxy Pub. Co., 1875. page 307 ECKERT, THOMAS WILLIAM, Editor and Postmaster, was born on the 6th day of November, 1840, in Waterloo, Monroe county, Illinois. His father, John Eckert, settled at Belleville, Illinois, in 1828, where he married Ara Williams, of that place, and subsequently removed to Monroe county. After receiving a commonschool education, Thomas entered McKendree College, at Lebanon, and retained there until he graduated. After leaving college he began the study of dentristry with Dr. Joseph Payne, of St. Louis. At the expiration of two years he entered into practice with his preceptor. In 1856 he removed to Lebanon, Illinois, and there continued the practice of his profession for six years. He then relinquished his practice and purchased the Lebanon _Journal_ , which he has ever since continued to edit. It is now and has been from the beginning a strong and outspoken Republican paper, and its editor has always been an earnest, able member of that party. In August, 1875, he was appointed Postmaster of Lebanon, and continues in that position. He married on the 30th of May, 1860, Viola Calhoun, and two children make his home happier by their presence.