Richard Adrian Eckman data

Richard Adrian Eckman (sometimes called Richard and sometimes called Adrian) was my great-grandmother’s eighth and last husband. He was born on February 27, 1894 in Toledo, Ohio to Albert Eckman and Daisy James.

On July 9, 1912, Adrian R. Eckman married Phylana E. Luck (or a woman with a name similar to that—the handwriting is difficult to read) in Monroe, Michigan. He was 18, and she was 16. While I have yet to uncover divorce or annulment of the marriage, it did not last long.

On August 8, 1917, Adrian R. Eckman married Sadie Edwards. He was 23, and she was 25. Both were divorced.

Before he married Sadie, however, he registered for the draft for World War I on June 15, 1917. He was 23 years old, of medium height and build with dark hair and gray eyes. At the time he was living in Toledo, Ohio and working as a chauffeur for George Sinclair. He also reported that he was married. He subsequently enlisted in the army on May 24, 1918, where he served until May 16, 1919, as a Private First Class. He was honorably discharged. By this time, of course, the War was over.

Between 1919 and 1925, Richard and Sadie divorced, and he married a woman named Lillian. According to the 1930 census, Richard was living with three children and his wife Lillian in Toledo, Ohio. Their sons were Richard (5), Albert (3) and William (2). Ten years later, the 1940 census reports that Richard, Lillian and four children (now with a daughter named Lillian) lived in Toledo, Ohio.

In 1942, He registered for the World War II draft. He was 47 years old. There is no indication that he served.

My great-grandmother Leta Fields married Richard on September 22, 1960. They were issued their marriage license on September 12. He reported that he had been married once previously, and was divorced. She stated that she had been married three times previously. According to the records of their prior marriages, both were stretching the truth. The Rev. Myron R. Kells performed the ceremony.

Richard A. Eckman died of a heart attack at home at age 69 on December 27, 1963. According to my family’s memory, this occurred in the middle of the night. His occupation for 33 years was as a route salesman for Wonder Baking Co. (Toledo had a Wonder factory that made a variety of the beloved products, including the Twinkie. As a child, I toured the facility more than once.) He was also an organizer and president of the Teamsters Local 365 Pensioners Club. He was a World War I veteran and member of St. Andrew’s Lutheran Church. He had four surviving children: Lillian Friend, Richard, William and Sgt. Albert of the U.S. Army. Of course, he also had two stepchildren. The obituary says he had 16 grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren. If the obituary includes Leta’s family, this may mean that six of the grandchildren were hers by marriage (my father, his two siblings and two cousins). As for great-grandchildren, my great-grandmother had two—my older brother Jeff and the eldest son of my father’s eldest cousin Connie. Her son’s name is Christopher. He was only a couple of months old. It is possible that I am included in the great-grandchildren. Richard Eckman died about 26 hours before I was born on December 28, 1963. By the time of the obituary, I was a couple of days old.