When John Eckerdt was born on 3 February 1898, in Gualeguaychú, Entre Ríos, Argentina, his father, George Phillip Eckert, was 30 and his mother, Margaretha Sack, was 27. He married Elizabeth Lehman on 20 December 1925, in Worland, Washakie, Wyoming, United States. They were the parents of at least 2 sons and 3 daughters. He lived in Worland, Washakie, Wyoming, United States in 1935 and Election District 8 Manderson, Big Horn, Wyoming, United States in 1940. He died on 15 March 1964, in Billings, Yellowstone, Montana, United States, at the age of 66, and was buried in Worland, Washakie, Wyoming, United States.