Rev. C. H. Eckhardt
Rev. C. H. Eckhardt received his ordination into the Lutheran ministry in the spring of 1878, came to Lima on the 19th of September, 1879, and for more than a quarter of a century has been a prominent worker and an inspiration in the advancement and progress of the community. Born in Hessen Darmstadt, Germany, February 6, 1851, he was four years old when his parents came to the United States and settled near Germantown, Montgomery County, Ohio, so that our subject is an American by education and sympathies. His father, George Eckhardt, who passed away in December, 1904, at the age of 85 years, was a farmer, and it was in the invigorating atmosphere of the country home that our subject spent his boyhood and received his early education.
Desirous of devoting his life ot the good of humanity, he entered Capital University at Columbus, Ohio, and was graduated from the theological department in 1878, when he was ordained and immediately installed as pastor of St. Matthew's Lutheran Church, near Cridersville, Auglaize County, and is still the beloved leader of that flock. He was pastor of Zion Lutheran Church of Lima for 10 years, and in addition to the heavy demands upon his time found opportunity for doing much good outside work. Lima College, dedicated in 1894, was founded through our subject's untiring efforts in its behalf. He was president of the college for many years and is still closely associated with it. He is a member of the Joint Synod of Ohio, and is a man who stands well, not only with the members of his own church but with the general public.
Rev. C. H. Eckhardt was married in 1876 to Ida May Dearth, whose father, S. M. Dearth, is one of the prominent agriculturists of Warren County, Ohio. They have a family of four children, namely: Herman, who is engaged in insurance work in Lima; Carrie wife of Frank J. Cupp, a civil engineer engaged in the construction of railroads at Appleton, Wisconsin; Ethel, who married Roland B. Mikesell, a teacher in the commercial department of Lima College, and has one child, Byron; and Ruth, who is at home. Politically Mr. Eckhardt has always affiliated with the Republicans.