An Illustrated History of the State of Washington, by Rev. H.K. Hines, D.D., The Lewis Publishing Co., Chicago, IL., 1893, page 400 GEORGE H. ECKARD, a prominent wine and liquor dealer of Vancouver, was born in Germany, May 4, 1858, a son of William and Margaret Eckard. The lather is now deceased. George H., the eldest of six children, was reared and educated in his native land, and emigrated to America in 1873. After landing in this country he made his home in New York city several years, and in 1882 enlisted in Company C, Fourteenth United States Infantry, served on the Colorado and Nebraska frontier, was for a short time quartered at San Francisco, California, later at Port Townsend, Washington, and was discharged at Fort Vancouver in 1887. Mr. Eckard had begun business in this city two years prior to that time, and he is now largely engaged in beer-bottling, has a large ice trade, and does a lucrative commission business in hay, grain and other farm products. His residence property consists of four acres, on which is also located his place of business, and a portion of the ground is devoted to fruit culture. In political matters, Mr. Eckard is prominently identified with the Democratic party, has served as chairman of the Central Committee, served as Deputy Sheriff under M.J. Flemming, was a delegate from this city to the first State convention held at Seattle, and is a stockholder in the Columbian, the official Democratic journal of Clarke county. He served as Chairman of the Improved Order of Red Men during the anniversary of the discovery of the Columbia river, held at Astoria, June 11, 1892, and is now Treasurer of his lodge. Mr. Eckard is also a prominent member of the K. of P., the Regular Army and the Navy Union. In 1886 he was united in marriage to Miss Emma Arnold, a native of Saxony, Germany. In July, 1889, Mr. Eckard was presented with a fine gold badge, tendered by the citizens of Vancouver, in recognition of his heroic service in the fire of June 22, that year. This honored trophy, he wears on his left breast and is justly proud of the same. He has been a member of the city fire department since 1886. Submitted to the WA. Bios Project in September 2003 by Jeffrey L. Elmer * * * * Notice: These biographies were transcribed for the Washington Biographies Project. Unless otherwise stated, no further information is available on the individual featured in the biographies.