Obituary: ECKROAT – January 19, 1935, at his home, 460 West Eighth street, Lewis A. Eckroat, age 80 years. He is survived by two daughters, Sister Mary Constantia of Humphry, Neb.; Mrs. Matilda Caroline Sturbaum, of Santa Ana; two sons, George Eckroat, of Bremerton, WA, and Charles Eckroat, of Seattle; two brother, Peter F. Eckroat, of Orange and Jacob V. Eckroat, of Salina, KS; also ten grandchildren and six great grand-children. Funeral services will be held at 9 a.m. tomorrow at St. Joseph's Catholic church. Friends may call at the Harrell and Brown Funeral home, 116 W. 17th St., at 7:30 o'clock tonight to recite the Rosary. Interment Holy Sepulcher cemetery.

Lewis was married to Elizabeth Christine "Lizzie" DAUM WINKAMP ECKROAT Cuming County Marriage Information
Microfilms: 1866-1920 (94-2) Cuming Co. Nebraska

OBITUARY: Bremerton Man's Father Is Dead In Santa Ana, Cal.
Father of George Eckroat, Former Resident Here Passes at Santa Ana Saturday

From Santa Ana, Calif., is word of the death there, Saturday of Lewis A. Eckroat at the age of 80 years. Mr. Eckroat was the father of George J. Eckroat, proprietor of the Elks Barber Shop, and himself several years a Bremerton resident, coming here in 1907. Death came as the result of old-age frailty, and at the home of a daughter with whom his home had been made many hears.
The deceased was a native of Canton, O., the home city of the late president William McKinley, and also of the late Rear Admiral Henry Ziegemeir, who died as the commandant of the Bremerton navy yard. He was a pioneer in Kansas and in Basin, Wyo., there and variously throughout the West he conducted grocery businesses.
In addition to the son, George Eckroat of Bremerton, the surviving family includes a daughter, Mrs. Tillie Staurbaum of Santa Ana, and where death occurred; Charles Eckroat, in the Bremerton navy yard, and another daughter, Sister Constantia at St. Mary's Academy, Humphrey's Kas.

Lewis Children were:

1. Matilda Caroline "Tillie" Eckroat brn. Jan. 28, 1879
She married Peter Paul Sturbaum

2. Charlotte Anne "Lottie" ECKROAT b: January 13, 1881 The Dalles (Wasco) OR d: July 14, 1903 Boulder CO (per Tillie's letter)She married Barney Leo Yosten

3. George Joseph ECKROAT b: March 03, 1883 North Bend (Dodge Co.) NE He married Valera Margaret Coffey

4. Louisa(e) Frances "Sister Connie" ECKROAT b: April 28, 1886 North Bend (Dodge Co.) NE d: January 8, 1974 Denver (or Colo. Springs?) CO Entered convent May 1, 1905 Columbus (Platte Co.) NE (Nun - Sr. Maria Constantia II)

5. Charles Lewis "Charlie" ECKROAT b: October 10, 1890 Near Fleming (Logan Co.) CO. Died December 22, 1975 Seattle, WA B: Willamette National Cem., Portland (Multnomah Co.) OR

According to the 1885 Census, Dodge Co., North Bend, NE:
Lewis Anthony was living with his family as was his father; Jacob D. Eckroate, and brother, Peter.

Lewis even had a few occupations and even ran and operated a hotel.

Lewis did some farm work in his life. He also worked at a hardware store, also did general groceries and medicines and even was in the butcher business and in the cattle & stock business out in Wyoming and Colorado.

Lewis Anthony brn. Jun. 21st 1854 was the son of Jacob D. Eckroate brn. 1828 Lucerne, PA and Barbara Kleis brn. 1829 of Nebraska.
Lewis's Grandfather was Daniel Eckroate (Eckrode/Eckroth)brn. 1797 of Lynn township, PA.

Lewis Anthony wrote to his sister this letter:

We were married the 15th of Jan. 1878. Yes, by Father Horn in the church that was close at home. We came out from Geneseo [Illinois]. We landed at North Bend Nov. 3rd, 1869. Maggie was born in Omaha. She is or will be 58 years old Nov. 1st. We came out together, all but father, he came a little later. He was working in Iowa at the time we came out. I tell you we had a hard time the first few years in Neb. In 1870, I worked on a farm for the 1st time. I was 16 yrs. Old and had to do a man's work for $10.00 per mo. And if I live, I'll be 78 years old. It don't seem like it is nearly 58 years since we came to Nebraska. (end of letter)

Lewis was a pioneer in Kansas and in Basin, Wyoming. He conducted grocery businesses. In 1885 he was in North Bend, Dodge Co., NE, operating a hotel. Living with him and his family was his father, Jacob and younger brother Peter. He was a short man who had lost an eye, but was fitted with a glass one. He fascinated his grandchildren by removing it.
It is said that he had the idea for the gumball machine, but never patented it nor received credit for the invention.



Lewis Anthony brothers and sisters were:

1. Lewis Anthony brn. Jun 21st 1854 Canton, OH. married on the 15th Jan 1878. He married Elizabeth Christine Daum Winkamp on the 5th of August 1857-5 Sept 1896

2. Daniel S. brn 19th Jan 1856-28 Apr. 1874 unmarried. (Drowned due to seizure on water) Check under(Eckroate)

3. John Ananias brn. 14th Dec. 1857 Ohio 7 May 1926 He married on the 14th Februrary 1882 He married Mary Catharine Baechler brn. 29th April 1863-Jan 1943

4. Mary Ellen brn. 9th Nov 1859-13 Aug. 1914 She married 19th Janurary 1875 to Peter Emmanuel born the 11th September 1850-17 March 1942

5. Jacob Victor brn. 25th Nov. 1861 Canton, OH -5 July 1937 married on the 30th September 1880 to Caroline Hergenroder brn. 17th May 1863-27 Apr. 1930

6. Caroline Elizabeth 5th Mar 1867 On the 6th of Feburary 1905; She became (Sister Constantia)

7. Peter Frank brn. on the 5th Feburary 1869 Ill-22 Jan 1939 He married on the 23rd April 1895 Mary Magdaline Stoll brn. 22nd April 1875-22 December 1949