Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1916-06-23
DEATH CALL FOR
LOUIS V.ECKHART
Former Coroner and Chief of Police
Succumbs at Moline Hospital Fol-
lowing an Operation.
TO HOLD FUNERAL TOMORROW
Native Of Germany, But Had Lived in
Rock Island for Over go Years
veteran of Civil War.

Louis V. Eckhart, former Rock Is
land county coroner and chief of po-
lice of this city, died at S:25 last ev-
ening at the Moline city hospital fol-
lowing an operation performed tues
day. Nc. Eckhart had been alllng
several years with a complication OF
diseases. His condition became such
that it was necessary to remove him
from his home at S07 Eleventh street
to the hospital Monday. Although his
friends had known of his illness, his
passing comes as a severe shock to
the community.
Mr. Eckhart was born Oct. 10, lS4l
in Mackback, Prussia, Germany. In
1854 he came to America with his par
ents, settling in Cincinnati. They re-
manned there four months, coming to
Rock Island in the same year. He
had made his home here since.
Upon his arrival in Rock Island
Mr.. Eckhart secured place on a
farm just south of here, where he re-
manned until 1859. He then took en-
ployment in one of the local bake
shops, receiving SO a month. He con-
tinued in this job until the call came
for volunteers in the Civil war. Still
a lad of II he enlisted in the Thir-
teenth Illinois infantry at Spring
field He was honorably discharged
June q, 1854 Mr. Eckhart partici-
pated in the following important bat,
! ties: Chickasaw Bayou, Ark, 1852;
Ark Post, Miss; twice at Jackson
Miss; siege of Vicksburg; Tuscumbia
Ala; Lookout Mountain; Missionary
Ridge, and Ringgold Gap, Ga.
Carried Fortune TO City.
! During his service in the army Mr.
Eckhart was honored by being chosen
as messenger to carry the pay Of two
| companies, $4,000 in all, from thu
south to Rock Island, through rebe
! territory. He made the trip to st
Louis on pony, captured in one o
/ the battles by Major j. NJ. Beardsle,
| of Rock Island From St. Louis t.
Rock Island he went by boat and safe
lily delivered the entire amount at tn
old Mitchell & Lynde bank. The pom,
was presented to Mrs. P. l.. Cable.
Mr.. Eckhart returned to Rock Is
land after the close of the war AM
was united in marriage here so year
ago to Miss Mary Wagner. She pass
ed away in 1871 Mr. Eckhart was il
public service in Rock Island for NOR
than 81 years. His first public offic
was that of constable, which he he'll
in the early days after the war.
81 Years in Office.
In 1856 he was named chief of pc
lice Of Rock Island by Mayor Thoma
Murdoch, serving two years. He the
served as deputy sheriff under Sheri
Ankrum for several years. In 1SS
he was appointed deputy coroner III
der Coroner David Halves, serving
this position for eight years. In 1S9
he was elected coroner of Rock Is
land county and was reelected fo
three successive terms, serving !
years in all In 1908 he refused t
become a candidate for reelection
In his years of public service NJ
Eckhart had proved entirely capable
He was a man of strong characte
straightforwardness, and sympatheti
He was a member of John Bufor
post, G. A. r.
He leaves two sons, Louis v, il
and James B., and three daughter
Mrs Evelyn Hickey, Mrs. Fred Brew
in and Mrs. Margaret Davidson, all
Rock Island. Seven grandchildre
and one greatgrandchild also surviv
Funeral services will be held at til
home of his son, Louis ", Jr, 81
Eleventh street Tomorrow afternoc
at O'Clock: John Buford post, G.
R., will have charge. Burial will /
in Chippiannock cemetery.