John Franklin was born to Henry and Margaret Keiser Eckler in Pine Grove, Schuylkill Co., PA. His siblings were Elizabeth (died as an infant), Hannah "Anna" (Johannes Spancake), Margaretha (died at12 years of age in 1830), Catherine "Kitty" (Casper Kissawetter), Maria Anna (Benneville/Benjamin Frederick), Mary Margaret "Polly" (Valentine Ferst), Barbara Anna (John Henry Null), George Washington (Catherine McCallister), Lydia Anna (Adam Miller), Ellen (Hiram Miller), Elizabeth "Eliza" (John M Miller), Susanna (died at three years of age), Henry Eckler Jr died at 20 years of age from Typhoid he contracted while serving in the Civil War. Was sent home to recuperate and died there of the disease.

John was wed to Miss Elizabeth "Eliza" Ney - Born on the 21st of April 1825 in Schuylkill Haven, Schuylkill Co., PA. Cannot find a marriage record - Minister failed to file. Date came from testimony Eliz gave when applying for Civil War Widow Pension. John and Eliza became the parents of Louisa Catherine (Mother of Samuel Peter Keeny and later wife of Samuel Hackney), Zacharias (died at 13yrs when he fell into a gravel pit), Mary Jane "Tachain" (Cannot find her after the 1870 Census in So. Bend, IN), George Washington (Located to South Bend with John & Sisters - Married to Mary Ann Hoffhein), Caroline Anna (had son Harry Gilbert Hollenbeck - She married Charles Vincent Scoles), Josiah "Joseph" (Died in So. Bend,IN) , Emma Eliza (Thomas Francis McCormick) and John Franklin Pierce Eckler (Florence "Flora" Tucker). John served in the Civil War - Company F, 167th PA Volunteer Infantry. He enrolled on October 26, 1862, and was discharged on August 13, 1863, with Chronic Diarhea! He was 43 years of age when he volunteered - 46 yrs. when released.

About 1868 the family located to South Bend, St. Joseph Co., IN. Three of his sisters were already residing there. John and Eliza later moved to the farming community of Bertrand in Berrien County, Michigan - just across the state line. John passed on May 19, 1895, at 75 1/2 years of age - Eliza lived another 15 years passing on January 11, 1910, at the age of 84. John and Eliza are interred at Higbee Cemetery in Bertrand, Berrien Co., Michigan. Very few monuments remain as a result of vandals and aging. Bio by Great Granddaughter Anita (Eckler/Frucci) Rodgers