BIOGRAPHY

Eckhart was born as Eva Jessie McKinley in Concordville, Pennsylvania, on 26 May 1893 as one of seven children born to Isaac and Elizabeth (Bullock) McKinley. Her father, an Irish immigrant, worked as a farmer in rural Pennsylvania.

Following the death of her mother at a young age, Eckhart found employment as a telephone operator at the age of 14, lying about her age to do so and revealing the truth once she had passed her 16th birthday. Her dislike of school and her stepmother was Eckhart’s reason to find work.

While working at the telephone company, Eckhart met her future husband, Robert “Bob” Eckhart, and the couple married in 1921. They had no children.

Around 1926 or 1927, Eckhart and her husband encountered a man who had passed out in his car. Her husband went to find a policeman, and as he was crossing the street, was hit by a speeding car. Eckhart looked after him during the 30 days it took to come to, having broken numerous bones. After the event, the couple moved to Clearwater, Florida. They unknowingly lived next door to notorious gangster Al Capone, who would frequently visit for dinner under an alias.

The Eckharts ran a gas station for several years, until highway construction forced them out of business. They moved back to Pennsylvania, settling around Philadelphia. Eckhart relished spending time in Atlantic City, aiding in the opening of the Ritz-Carlton hotel, and later working as an operator there. She was widowed in 1970.

Eckhart developed cataracts during her centenarian years, but still enjoyed playing cards. She outlived all six of her siblings and a niece, Elsie Scott. She had travelled to every U. S. state and throughout Canada.

Eckhart developed cataracts during her centenarian years, but still enjoyed playing cards. She outlived all six of her siblings and a niece, Elsie Scott. She had travelled to every U. S. state and throughout Canada.

RECOGNITION

Eckhart’s age was verified by I. L. and Jimmy Lindberg, and was validated by LongeviQuest on 16 May 2024.

ATTRIBUTION

• The Frederick News-Post, 10 May 2000

• The Frederick News-Post, 24 February 2004

GALLERY