George Nicholas Eckert

George Nicholas Eckert was an American politician from Pennsylvania who served as a Whig member of the U.S. [House of Representatives] for Pennsylvania's 14th [congressional district] from 1847 to 1849. Eckert also served as the 7th Director of [the United States Mint] from 1851 to 1853.

Early life and education

George N. Eckert was born in Womelsdorf, Pennsylvania. He graduated from the medical department of the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia in 1824 and commenced practice in Reading, Pennsylvania. He was one of the organizers of Berks County Medical Society in 1824. He moved to Pine [Grove, Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania], and engaged in the coal and iron trade.

Political career

Eckert was elected as a Whig to the 30th [United States Congress|Thirtieth] Congress. He was appointed Director of the United States Mint at Philadelphia by President Millard Fillmore and served from June 1851 to June 6, 1853. He died in Philadelphia in 1865 and was interred in Laurel Hill Cemetery.