Translations:Maximilian Eckart (Da VII 12)/15/en

Hawaii – Germany and Back

Maximilian quickly adapted to this new environment. He was a diligent and committed worker in his brother’s business. Whenever Christian and his wife Mathilde went on holiday, Maximilian managed the store on his own. He remained in contact with his mother by letter until her death in Emskirchen in 1874. The following year, Christian and Mathilde Eckart died. They had remained childless, which meant Maximilian was the last Eckart in Hawaii for a number of years. After having sworn allegiance to the Hawaiian kingdom on November 22, 1875, thus officially becoming a Hawaiian citizen, he took over his late brother’s business in late November. Shortly afterwards, he fell seriously ill with appendicitis. Despite his doctor having warned him that he would not survive the journey home to Germany, Maximilian boarded the steamship "Mikado" in February 1876 and embarked upon the long voyage to Germany. Amazingly, he survived the crossing and the subsequent surgery. He stayed in his home country for a while, and then returned to Hawaii in 1877. The jewelry store, which he had closed before leaving, remained closed even after his return. Maximilian visited the Hawaiian Islands instead. During this journey, he met Maria Louisa Campbell. He had worked as a butcher on her father’s ranch. In January 1878, Maximilian Eckart, who was 35 years old at the time, married the 15-year-old Maria Louisa Campbell.