Individual Details

ECKLEY, W. O.
Among the younger men finding their fortunes in the great west is W. O. Eckley, who is extensively engaged in general farming and stock-raising in Logan township, and formerly well known as a livery man and dealer in farm implements, both of which enterprises he gave up recently in order to devote his undivided attention to his agricultural interests. He is a man whose aggressive spirit is enabling him to turn the soil to his advantage, and being possessed of the strength and vigor of youth, he may well look forward to many a year of bountiful harvests, which will be the means of leading him along the pathway of success and to permanent prosperity. A native son, his birth occurred in Douglas township, Clay county, December 19, 1877 and he is a son of John L. and Mary E. (Duboise) Eckley. His father was also a native of Iowa, and now resides in Barnum, Carlton county, Minnesota. His mother is a native of New York state.

The boyhood days of W. O. Eckley were spent in Douglas township and Spencer, where he attended the common schools and remained at his studies until he had completed his education. Upon leaving school he remained at the home of his parents until he was twenty-one years of age, when he started out in life for himself. Being somewhat inspired by the brawny arm of the blacksmith, he thought he would like to engage in that occupation as his life work, consequently he secured a place in a blacksmith shop, when, after one years hard work, he gave up his desire to follow the occupation and engaged in business at Gillett Grove. He remained there two years and became connected with a livery business, which he pursued for a time, and then entered the employ of Charles Gilmore, for whom he worked until he was united in marriage, and then took up farming in Herdland township. He followed farming there for a period of three years, then removed to his present rented farm in this township, and there cultivates a half section of excellent land. Since his occupancy of this place he has been meeting with more than ordinary success in producing general crops and in handling and breeding a high grade of stock, and at the expiration of 1909 he anticipates having sufficient surplus means with which to rent an additional quarter section, upon which he will broaden his farming interests and pay more attention to stock-breeding.

February 2, 1904, he was united in marriage to Miss Florence Carlson, a daughter of John Carlson, a native of Stockholm, Sweden, who now resides in Greenwood, Missouri. To this union have been born the following children: Hazel Esther, who is four years of age, and Harvey John, now in his third year. The republican party receives Mr. Eckley’s support, the principles of which, upon candid consideration, he has decided contain the secret of the nation’s financial power and permanent prosperity. He attends divine services at the Methodist church and his excellent qualities of character and enterprising spirit have given him high standing as a citizen of the community.
Contributed by: Susan Gregory. Source: History of Clay County Iowa - Steele - 1909, page 599.

On the 1910 U. S. Census of Logan Township, Clay Co., Iowa, Willis Eckley appears with his wife Florence and children Hazel and Harvey. Willis and Florence have been married 6 years. Florence is the mother of 2. Willis is a farmer.

On the U. S. Census of 1920 Lake, Clay Co., Iowa, Willis O. Eckley appears with his wife Florence and children Hazel, Harvey, Fred and Eleanor. Also in the household is Willis' uncle John Dubois age 66. Willis is a farmer.

Ruthven Free Press, Ruthven, Palo Alto Co., Iowa, Wednesday, June 18, 1947, Front Page Col. 2: Funeral of Willis O. Eckley Held at Methodist Church. Funeral services for W. O. Eckley were held at the Methodist church in Ruthven, Thursday, June 12, with Rev. Robert Smith of Dickens and Rev. Paul Potter of Ruthven officiating. A mixed quartet sang "Abide With Me," "The Old Rugged Cross," and "There Will Be No Night There." The remainder of the service was in charge of the members of the Masonic lodge with A. H. Avery of Spencer being the speaker at the church and cemetery. Pallbearers were Masonic brothers Bert Coleman, Roy Lewis, Earl Ferguson, Will Roland, Bernard Schroeder and Minor Blum. Burial took place in North Lawn cemetery at Spencer.

Willis Orlen Eckley, son of John Levi and Mary DuBois Eckley, was born December 19, 1877, in Douglas township, Clay county, Iowa. All his life was spent in this county, where he attended school. He graduated from the Spencer high school, where he played left half back on the boys football team of the Spencer schools. Starting out in life for himself at the age of 21 years, he worked as a blacksmith for one year, and later owned a blacksmith shop at Gillett Grove for two years. Then he worked at the Livery business and later was employed by Charles Gilmore until 1904. February 14, 1904, he married Florence Rebecca Carlson and they lived on farms in Herdland and Logan townships. Then he operated a farm in Lake township for twenty-one years, until his health began to fail. Then he bought acreage west of Ruthven, where he and his wife lived until his death June 9, 1947. Mr. Eckley served as a member of the board of education of his community, was township clerk, trustee, and assessor at various times, and was a member of the Clay county fair board at the time of its organization. he was a member of Rickloyd Lodge No. 712 A. F. & A. M. of Terril. He was a devoted husband and father, a good neighbor and a highly respected citizen. He is survived by his wife, and four children: Hazel Esther Michael of Dickens, Harvey John Eckley of Ruthven, Gerald Fred Eckley of Milford, and Mamie Eleanor Garner of Denver, Colorado. He is also survived by two brothers, Fred of South Lansing, N. Y., and John of Battle Creek, Michigan, one sister, Mrs. W. D. Bailau of Nemadji, Minn., and nine grandchildren. His parents and four brothers preceded him in death.

Birth	18 Dec 1877	Douglas Township, Clay Co., Iowa
Residence	1880	Douglas, Clay Co., Iowa
Residence	1885	Douglas, Clay Co., Iowa
Residence	1895	Douglas, Clay Co., Iowa
Census	9 Jun 1900	Gillette Grove Twp, Clay Co., Iowa
Marriage	13 Feb 1904	Clay Co., Iowa - Florence Rebecca Carlson
Residence	1910	Logan, Clay Co., Iowa
Residence	1920	Lake, Clay Co., Iowa
Residence	1 Jan 1925	Lake, Clay Co., Iowa
Residence	1930	Lake, Clay Co., Iowa
Death	9 Jun 1947	Dickens, Clay Co., Iowa
Burial		North Lawn Cemetery, Sioux Township, Clay Co., Iowa

Spouse	Florence Rebecca Carlson (1875 - 1953)
Child	Hazel Esther Eckley (1904 - )
Child	Harvey John Eckley (1906 - 1975)
Child	Gerald Fred Eckley (1912 - 1973)
Child	Mamie Eleanor Eckley (1917 - 1995)