Civil War Veterans of Monterey County, California.

Researched and Compiled by : 
Timothy P. Reese, PCC of Salinas , CA. & Robert L. Nelson ,PCC. of Santa Cruz.CA. 
Both members of the “Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War”. 
Department of California & Pacific. Camp Abraham Lincoln # 10.  
The Reese-Nelson CWV-MC Data Base


This file is part of the California Genealogy & History Archives
http://calarchives4u.com/

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EKAN FREDERICK A   (1817?-1899)   Salinas   IOOF Cemetery
(Unknown Salinas? Newspaper Feb 1, 1899)

Death of Old Fred Ekan
  One more veteran has been summoned by the Supreme Commander in Chief to answer to his roll 
call.  For over twenty-five years Frederick A. Ekan has been a familiar figure on the streets of Salinas, 
his tall gaunt form attracting attention as much as his eccentric ways.  About ten years ago Ekan 
proved up on a homestead near the Toro picnic grounds which finally dwindled away until it today it 
only exists as a miserable two and a half acre patch of still more miserable land.  Upon that desolate 
spot he erected a ramshackle hut 8 b 4 feet and about 6 feet high.  Upon a miserable bed with rags 
to cover him Fred Ekan lived in misery and filth surrounded by a horde of cats and dogs.  He had a 
cart and horse, but despite his extreme age, being over 80, Ekan would walk to Salinas once a week, 
rain or shine some seven miles, fill two gunny sacks with provisions, and scraps of meat, and 
shouldering the heavy load trudge homewards.  He contracted a cold about two years ago but was 
cared for by the G.A.R. Post and W.R Corps here and appeared to have recovered.  A week since he 
contracted a fresh cold, and last Friday came to town and was told by Dr. Freeman that hem must take 
care of himself.  A neighbor, Mr. Marks called to see him Saturday, and found the old veteran much 
worse and last night about 10 o’clock he passed away after a severe fit of coughing, while Marks was 
there.  Deceased had no need to live or die as he did.  He was a veteran having enlisted as a private 
on the 16th day of September, 1862 in Company l, First Regiment of Washington Territory Volunteers, 
for three years and was honorably discharged on the 12th day of October, 1865 at Fort Vancouver.  He 
was granted a pension (No. 129000) of $12 per month, commencing the 30th day of September, 1891 
which was increased to $17 per month of on the 26th day of October, 1892 for rheumatism and disease 
of the chest.  He had also until within a few months past received county aid.  Many of the veterans of 
Steedman Post and Woman’s Relief Corp as well as citizens wanted Ekans to come and reside in Salinas, 
but he refused.  As stated above his feline pets who numbered about a score, and five dogs, were his 
only companions sharing not only his food but his bead.  Deceased was a native of Germany and had 
no relatives living.  He was known as Egan, Hagan, Eken and Ekan and could not say which was his right 
appellation.  He will buried this afternoon at 2:30 o’clock sharp from Mullers undertaking parlors, under 
the auspices of General Steedman Post No.     G.A.R., of which he was a member.  Interment will be in 
I.O.O.F. cemetery.