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Permanent LinkSenator Charles Eckles View All Years
CHARLES ECKLES was born at Eastholm, Yorkshire, England, September 2, 1840, and died in Taylor Township, Marshall County, Iowa, July 9, 1932. Burial was in Prairieville Cemetery, near Sterling, Illinois. His parents were Marmaduke and Hannah Leavitt Eckles. Charles helped his father in the latter’s brickyard and attended school at the village of Buskirk. The family emigrated to America in 1849 and located on a farm between Dixon and Sterling, Illinois. Here Charles attended some winter terms of school at Prairieville, working as a farm hand in summers. In August, 1861, he enlisted in Company D, Thirty-fourth Illinois Infantry, and was promoted from private to sergeant, to lieutenant, and for the last eight months was captain of his company, being mustered out July 20, 1865. In 1867 he purchased land in Taylor Township, Marshall County. This he added to from time to time. He was successful as a farmer and as a breeder of pure bred cattle and hogs. He was elected representative in 1887 and was re-elected in 1889, serving in the Twenty-second and Twenty-third general assemblies. In 1903 he was elected senator and served in the Thirtieth, Thirty-first and Thirty-second general assemblies. He was active in legislation promoting agriculture and education.