An Illustrated History of Central Oregon, Western Historical Publishing Company, Spokane, WA. 1905, pages 303-304. WILLIAM EHRCK is one of the substantial men of Wasco county, and he has shown himself possessed of those qualities which win, for he came here with limited means. He located his family on the homestead where now is the family home, and went to The Dalles to work at his trade of mason to procure means for the improvement of his place. He spent the winters here and gradually improved the place until he now has seventy acres in cultivation and all the buildings, fences, and other things needed. He is a man of thrift and energy and has labored faithfully here. He has a good home and his wife, who is a woman of many virtues, has been a good helpmeet to him in all the years that have passed. They have reared an interesting family and all are highly respected people in the various walks of life. Mr. Ehrck lives about seven miles up the river from town, on the east side. He was born in Germany, on January 1, 1845, the son of Hans and Minnie Ehrck, both natives of the Fatherland and both deceased. From his father, our subject learned the art of the mason and was also educated in the public schools of his native country. In 1872, he bade farewell to all the dear ones at home and sailed to America. He stopped first in Chicago and two years later came on to Iowa, whence in 1879. He journeyed to Oregon. having spent the intervening years at his trade. He followed the same in Portland and The Dalles and then took the land where he now lives. He has one of the finest places in the valley, thirty acres being into apple orchard and the balance in general crops. His labor has wrought all of this, for it was a wild when he came here. In Germany, in 1871, Mr. Ehrck married Miss Caroline, the daughter of Christian and Annie (Kroeger) Wilkins, both natives of Germany and now deceased. The wife accompanied Mr. Ehrck on his journeys westward and they are the parents of the following named children; Otto and Willie, at home and popular young men of the community; Lizzie, the wife of James Eggirt, a farmer dwelling near; Emma, the wife of Harry Imlay, a hotel steward in San Francisco; Marie, wife of Claud McCoy, in Portland. Mr. Ehrck has one brother, Henry, a hotel keeper in Hamburg, Germany, and one sister, Hennie, the wife of William Stoeck, a potter in Germany. Mrs. Ehrck has no brothers nor sisters. Both are consistent members of the Lutheran church and are well to do and esteemed people. Mr. Ehrck is a Republican but is not active, although stanch. ******************* Submitted to the Oregon Bios. Project in January 2005 by Jeffrey L. Elmer. Submitter has no additional information about the person(s) or family mentioned above.