John Eckert, the late husband of Mrs. Amelia Eckert, of Catasauqua, was born in Liebeheim, Barien, in the Fatherland, Nov. 1835. His father, Johannes Eckert, was a butcher in Leibheim, where his sons learned the art of butchering.

Three sons of Johannes, John, George, and Martin migrated to America Oct. 6, 1856. John located at Ernaus, and worked for Jesse Klein, a local butcher, and later for a period of Daniel Schwartz of Upper Milford. In 1860, he came to Catasauqua and was employed by Aaron Fretz of Ferndale. On Dec. 10, 1862, he was married to Amelia Reinsmith, a daughter of Henry and Sallie Kemmerer Reinsmith, of Lowhill Township. She was born Sept 20, 1838. In 1863, he moved to Femdale, but returned as soon as his new house on Second Street was completed, when he took possession of it, and where he resided for 31 years. Here also all of his children, except the eldest, were born. He continued in the butchering business until his death, which occurred July 18, 1902. For one year he was associated with his brother, Martin, who now resides at St. Louis, Mo., and later with his son-in-law, Philip Valker. His brother, George, was also engaged in the butchering business in Catasauqua. He was married to Tillie Knabb. They had two sons and one daughter, of whom Alvin is the only one living. He resides at Catasauqua, and is the father of three children.

John Eckert, was a member of the Evangelical church, in which he was a class leader, explorer, and trustee. His remains lie buried on the beautiful family plot in Fairview Cemetery, Catasauqua. He was the father of eleven children: Sarah, married to Philip Valker; Tillie, married to Asher Schaffer, John, who together with his brother, Thomas F., was killed in a railroad accident at Allentown, Sept 2, 1881; Clara, married to Howard Benvenuti; Ella, married to John Reid; George, the twin brother of Ella, died at the age of seven; Charles, who resides at Allentown, where he is in the employ of Swift & Co.,; Rebecca, who died in infancy, and Irene, the wife of William Lobach.