MOSES ECKAHD, farmer; P. O. Topeka; son of Henry Eckard, of Baltimore, Md.; was of German descent. His mother's maiden name is Glass. She was from Maryland, and of German descent. They raised a family of four, two of whom survive, Mr. Eckard and Elizabeth Morton. She is now living on the old homestead of her father. Mr. Eckard was born Oct. 8, 1812. in Fredericks Co., Md. He worked at farming.  In 1837, he left the scene of his childhood for Ohio, where he worked at farming, carpentering, and such work as he could get to do. He afterward went to Kentucky, and there worked by the month at $12 until 1839, when he settled in Fulton Co , Ill., for one year, and then worked for Jacob Moss for one year. He then came to Mason Co., and worked by the month for a long time. In 1844, he began farming eighty acres, a part of the present farm of 500 acres, which was then raw prairie, but now has become fine arable land. By marriage he added 200 acres, making 700 acres. He was married to Sarah E. Simmonds Feb. 15,1844. She was a daughter of Pollard Sirnmonds, who was born May 2, 1799, and was a farmer and miller. His father was born in 1773. His mother's maiden name was Ritter. She was the daughter of Richard Ritter, of Maryland, born in 1773. Their marriage occurred Aug. 7, 1821, in Kentucky. Mrs. Eckard was born June 29, 1822, in Mason Co., Ky. She was the oldest of nine children, of whom but five survive Her father and mother are dead. He died Feb. 14, 1864, in Illinois, and she died May 10, 1855, in Illinois. They have had six children; the living are:  Sarah, W. H., station agent at Topeka, James P. and John R.



Maintained by Mason County Coordinator Donna Mayer