Henry S. Eckert, Iron Manufacturer, was born in Reading, Pennsylvania, in 1829. He is a son of Isaac Eckert of that city, a sketch of whose life appears in another part of this volume. He received a liberal education, and after the usual curriculum graduated at Marshall College, Mercersburg, Pennsylvania. As it was his father's intention that he should at some future period succeed him as the operator and one of the proprietors of the iron works he then controlled, he immediately entered the establishment in order to become fully acquainted with the various manipulations and processes therein effected; and he shortly became the active and able manager of the same. He remained in this position until July 1st, 1873, and on that day formed a co-partnership with his brother, under the firm name of Eckert & Brother, who thus at that time succeeded their father, who retired from active participation in the enterprise. Previous to this date, however, he had also been engaged in a separate enterprise, as a member of the firm of Eckert, McHose & Co. in the rolling mill business. It will be remembered that the financial troubles of the country culminated in September, 1873, but two months after he had become one of the firm of Eckert & Brother. The operations of this firm, however, have been continued as though no panic whatever had taken place. They neither reduced their force of operatives nor diminished in any degree the amount usually produced at the works, but continued to turn out 250 tons of pig-iron as heretofore. Neither is the firm dependent on any outside party for the supply of material. They have acquired the possession of extensive mines and beds of iron ore, both by purchase and lease of grounds, and thus mine their own ore, believing this the most judicious course they can adopt. They employ in their mines and works together a force of about 250 men. Henry S. Eckert has always taken a lively interest in political matters, especially as the principles of protection to the iron and coal interests of the State are due, in a great measure to a rightful application of such doctrines by the party which has always advocated them, and which now controls the destinies of the nation. During the war, and towards its close, he was the Republican candidate for Congress against J. Lawrence Getz. He carried the city of Reading against the latter, after a very hard-fought and bitter contest; but the district outside the city being intensely Democratic he failed to be elected He was, in 1872, presented as one of the "Congressmen-at-large," but inimical operations, against the West defeated the object and cut the district out. In local politics he has taken a very prominent and important part, and is now serving his second term as President of the Board of Control. He is also at present representing his district in the Select Council, and was elected, in 1872, the President of that branch of the city government, which position he still retains. He was the author of the plans to fund the city debt, which he succeeded in carrying after much opposition had been made thereto. He is prominent in all matters affecting the welfare of the general public, more especially on financial topics, of which he has made a long and profound study. His effects and influence in this direction have been productive of much good, and his labors are constant and unflagging. In the Berks County Railroad, which forms the connecting link with the Delaware River at Wilmington, he has been very prominent, and has served as one of the Directors of the Company since it was first projected. This improvement is nearly completed, and it is expected that the road will be in full and successful operation early in the spring of 1874. He is a Director of the Farmers' National Bank of Reading. He is, to some extent, interested in military matters. At the time of General Lee's invasion, he volunteered and marched with the emergency men "for the defence of the State; and during the war he labored incessantly at home, both with his means and by his personal efforts, to support the Union cause. He is one of the vestrymen of Christ Church Cathedral, and is prominent and zealous in the cause of religion, and in the advancement of the Protestant Episcopal Church. He was married, in 1857, to Carrie, daughter of Nicholas Hunter, of Reading, and has four children two of these are attending the High School, keeping them in the line of his devotion--the free schools.
Source: The Biographical Encyclopedia of Pennsylvania of the Nineteenth Century. Philadelphia: Galaxy Publishing Co., 1874, pp. 235-236.
Contributed by: Nancy.