Jack,
I don't know if our Eckdahl's are related but my Great Gandmother was Clara Josephine Eckdahl. I know she had at least one brother Elmer C. Eckdahl. My GGM was married in Chicago and I know that my Grandmother during WWI wrote to her cousins in the service. I still have the letters she received from them and some pictures. Their names were Andrew W. Eckdahl, Charles ? Eckdahl, a brother Al ( in one of Andrew's letters). And a cousin Dave Carson.is a cousin that is tied into the Eckdahl's. If any of this makes sense to you Dad, let me know I would be happy to give you a lending hand at finding out more.
Pam
P.S. Ancestory can't ever get my new email to stay on their site so here it is
pammiefarr@comcast.net.