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Note: From the Utica Observer Dispatch, late June 1950. Page 12
PEOPLE WORTH KNOWING by Alberta J. Dickinson
When Mr. and Mrs. John W. Eichler observe their golden wedding anniversary this month there'll be on hand to help in the celebration nine of the 13 children born to them, 27 grand children and five great-grand children.
The Eichler's known pretty much throughout the area live at 17 Sherman Pl., for 20 years the family home, where there is perpetual open house. There 'shove over and put on another plate' warms the advent of unexpected quests at meal time today, just as it did 30 years ago before the young folks began leaving, one by one to set up homes of their own.
"There's always a party going on at the Eichler's," the neighbors will tell you. There isn't, though. That's just the coming and going of blood kin, in laws, friends, and friends of friends.
The EICHLER CHILDREN are Margaret, now Mrs. Burton Nash, New Hartford; Carolyn, now Mrs. Ashley, who lives at the family home; Mary, now Mrs. Nicholas Kelly, this city; Miss Bernadette Eichler, a teacher at Kemble School, who lives with her parents; Elizabeth, now Mrs. Robert Ellis of Chadwicks; Anna Mae, who is Mrs. Douglas Gubbins, this city.
Howard Eichler, with the Brunner Mfg. Co; John Eichler, an industrial engineer with the Standard Romper Corp., Central Falls, R.I.; Paul Eichler, a planning engineer with the General Electric Co., Schenectady. Two of the Eichler children died in childhood. A son Gerald, died at the age of 17, 29 years ago.
A member of the Sherman Pl. household is Mrs. Ashley's son, William, in the Navy for the past two years, just returned to this country from service in European waters.
John Eichler, one of eight brothers, was born in the old home then at Main and First Sts., where the Union Station now stands. His father, Edward Eichler, was proprietor of a bakery on Bleecker St., where Chanatry's grocery is today.
Graduated from the Assumption Academy, young John held a variety of jobs before he went to work at Oneita Mill as paymaster, 49 years ago. he was promoted to cost accountant and then to office manager, a position he held up to five years ago when a bout with pneumonia necessitated curtailment of his activities. Since then he has reported at the mill office for afternoon duty only. Single interruption in his long-time connection with the mill was a brief period when he was superintendent of the Utica Products Co.
He is a member of the Men's Club and the Holy Name Society, Church of Our Lady of Lourdes; the Catholic Information Society, is an Hoary member of the Knights of Columbus. For over 25 years affiliated with the Mohawk Valley Chapter of the National Association of Cost Accountants, he has served the chapter as vice president.
Mrs. Eichler is the former Carolyn Servatius. Her father, the late John Servatius, was proprietor of the Columbia St. paint and paper store now conducted by his sons. Youngest of 12 children, Carolyn was in the home which her father had bought years before to give his growing family the benefits of country life. That once rural locality is now busy Columbia Square.
She attended St. Joseph's School, learned the milliner's trade, and was employed before her marriage in Canfield's Millinery Store.
Mrs. Eichler is a member of the Catholic Women's Club, the Auxiliary of the St. Joseph Church, the Women's Club and the Altar Society of Our Lady of Lourdes Church. With her husband she had been a member of the latter parish for about 28 years, since shortly after it was organized. They seldom miss daily morning Communion at that church, the year around.
They have traveled considerably, with the exception of this year, for the past seven of eight years have spent the Winters in Florida. They have no hobbies, other than staying young with their children.
The Senior Eichler's have no particular advice to give on the successful rearing of a large family. They stress kindness, respect for parents (not the heavy, depressing kin), and "fun in which everybody in the family can join."
Each young Eichler had his particular household responsibility, each, boys and girls alike, learned to cook.
For the 50th wedding anniversary reception Sunday, June 25, the Legion Utica post rooms have been obtained, but "it will be an informal affair," say the celebrants-to-be. "Were not issuing invitations. All old and new friends will be welcome." The following morning, June 26, at 9, the marriage of Mr. And Mrs Eichler will be blessed at a Mass in Our Lady of Lourdes Church.
The first ceremony, June 26, 1900, took place in St. Joseph's Church with the Rev. James Murphy, then assistant pastor of St. John's officiating. St John's Choir, of which the young bridegroom was a member, sang.
Attending the couple at the renewing of their vows will be Miss Carolyn Faass, this city, who was maid of honor; William Servatius and Peter Meyers, who were ushers; Mildren Krebser Starkey, now of Los Angles, who was flower girl. Mrs. Starkey is a house guest of the Eichler's
John Eichler's brothers are Edmund, organist and choir director at St. John's Church for the past 18 years; Matthew and Harold, salesmen, this city, and Lt. Walter Eichler, of the Utica Fire Department. Among the brothers who are deceased, Policemen Leo Eichler's death occurred most recently, last August.
Mrs. Eichler, has three living brothers, William and George, of Utica, and Charles, of Colton, Calif.
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