George M. Eckels

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George M. Eckels
Eckels in an 1893 publication
Member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives
from the Cumberland County district
In office
1891–1894
Personal details
Born
George Morris Eckels

(1857-04-29)April 29, 1857
Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania, U.S.
DiedMay 23, 1916(1916-05-23) (aged 59)
Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Resting placeMechanicsburg Cemetery
Political partyDemocratic
Spouse
Clara Agnes Hertzler
(m. 1897)
Children2
Alma materPhiladelphia College of Pharmacy (Ph.G.)
University of Pennsylvania Medical School (MD)
Occupation
  • Politician
  • physician
  • businessman

George Morris Eckels (April 29, 1857 – May 23, 1916) was an American politician and physician from Pennsylvania. He served as a member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, representing Cumberland County from 1891 to 1894.

Early life[edit]

George Morris Eckels was born on April 29, 1857,[a] in Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania, to Sarah Ann (née Proctor) and William Eckels.[1][2][3] His father was a farmer and cooper. He attended public schools in Mechanicsburg from 1863 to 1873. He later attended the Philadelphia College of Pharmacy and graduated with a Ph.G. in 1879. He graduated from the University of Pennsylvania Medical School with a Doctor of Medicine in 1885.[1][2][4]

Career[edit]

In 1873, Eckels worked at a drug store in Mechanicsburg. In January 1877, he worked at a drug store in Philadelphia.[1] After graduating in 1879, he moved back to Mechanicsburg and partnered with his younger brother Walter L. purchased the drug store he worked at from Mr. Bridgeford. He worked as a clerk and the brothers ran the business under the name Eckels Brothers.[1][3] After graduating in 1885, he continued working at the drug store and as a physician in Mechanicsburg.[1][3][5] In November 1903, the Eckels brothers purchased a drug store in Harrisburg and his brother Walter ran that store.[3] He was manager of Bell Telephone Company in Mechanicsburg from 1885 to 1907.[2] He was principal of the Cumberland Valley State Normal School (later Shippensburg University).[2]

In January 1883, Eckels was elected as a transcribing clerk of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives. He was a Democrat and served as a delegate to the 1884 Pennsylvania Democratic Convention. He was a delegate to the 1884 Democratic National Convention.[1][2][3] He served as a member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, representing Cumberland County from 1891 to 1894.[1][2] He served on the centennial affairs, pensions and gratuities, insurance and public health and sanitation committees.[1] He also served as a member of the Mechanicsburg council.[5]

Eckels was director and treasurer of the Mechanicsburg Cemetery Association.[5]

Personal life[edit]

On June 9, 1897, Eckels married Clara Agnes Hertzler, daughter of Elias Hertzler, of Monroe Township. They had two daughters, Janet Wallace and Maybelle.[3][5] He was a member and trustee of the Presbyterian Church.[3][5]

Eckels died on May 23, 1916, in Mechanicsburg. He was interred at Mechanicsburg Cemetery.[2][5]

Notes[edit]

  1. ^ Multiple cites list birth date as April 29, one cite states April 23.

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h Rodearmel, William (1893). Portraits of the Heads of State Departments and Portraits and Sketches of Members of the Legislature of Pennsylvania, 1893-1894. E.K. Meyers Printing House. p. 164. Retrieved January 9, 2024.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g "George Morris Eckels". Pennsylvania House of Representatives Archives. Retrieved January 9, 2024.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g Biographical Annals of Cumberland County, Pennsylvania. The Genealogical Publishing Co. 1905. pp. 846–847. Retrieved January 10, 2024 – via Archive.org.Open access icon
  4. ^ Maxwell, W. J. (1922). General Alumni Catalogue of the University of Pennsylvania, 1922. p. 574. Retrieved January 10, 2024 – via Archive.org.Open access icon
  5. ^ a b c d e f "Dr. George M. Eckels to be Buried on Friday". Carlisle Evening Herald. May 24, 1916. p. 7. Retrieved January 9, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.Open access icon

External links[edit]