Robert Christian Eckhardt (1836-87) came from Germany at 13 to join an uncle, Yorktown's co-founder. A merchant and father of 11 sons and daughters, he built this house in 1879, afterward commuting to his store. Eckhardt and his wife Caroline Kleberg (1840-1913) became the ancestors of a U. S. Congressman, authors, doctors, lawyers, teachers, and other leaders. The ranch home has been continuously owned by family members -- since 1947 by a grandson, Dr. Kleberg Eckhardt.
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