Father James Eckerle

Father James Eckerle, one of the representative and leading citizens of Madonnaville, claims Germany as the land of his birth, which occurred on the 28th of July 1852. His parents, Philip and Margaret (Leibrecht) Eckerle, were both natives of Germany, and by their union were born three children, two of whom are yet living, James and Stephen. The father was a farmer by occupation, and followed that pursuit in his native land until 1866, when with his family he emigrated to the New World and took up his residence in Milwaukee, Wis., where he worked as a farm hand. He afterward lived with our subject. In politics he was a supporter of the Democratic party. His death occurred near New Design at the age of seventy-one years. His wife also died near New Design when sixty-two years of age. She was a member of the Catholic Church.

Mr. Eckerle began his education in Germany, where he attended school until fourteen years of age, when with his parents he came to America. When a youth of fifteen, he became a student in St. Francis College, which is located near Milwaukee. For a period of nine years, he pursued his studies in that institution, and was then graduated there from, successfully passing the examinations. He ranked among the best in the class and completed the course with honor.

Mr. Eckerle was then made a priest of the Catholic Church, and at the age of twenty-four he was called to the pastorate of the Catholic Church in Centralia, Ill., where he remained for five years. On the expiration of that period he removed to New Design, Monroe County, becoming pastor of the Catholic Church of that place, where he continued his labors for eight years. His next charge was in Cairo, Ill., where he continued for about fifteen months. It was in the year 1891 that he came to Madonnaville, Monroe County, where he has since remained in charge of the church of his denomination. He is also pastor of the Harrisonville Catholic Church. The church is in a thriving condition, having a membership of about sixty-five families.

Father Eckerle is a highly educated man, and in the work which he has undertaken is meeting with good success. He has the high regard of his congregation and those under his care. In politics he is a stalward Democrat, who warmly advocates the principles of his party and does all in his power to insure its success.