He achieved fame as a member of the military commission trying the conspirators involved with the assassination of President Abraham Lincoln.

In addition to his volunteer ranks, Ekin was made a captain in the regular army March 13, 1863, lieutenant colonel and deputy quartermaster general July 29, 1865.

Despite his excellent service in the Army quartermaster department, Ekin is remembered largely for his participation as a member of the military tribunal that heard the case against eight conspirators in the assassination of President Lincoln.

Mary Elizabeth Ekin married Augustus Everett Willson July 23, 1877, who served as the 36th Governor of Kentucky, 1907–1911.

William M. Ekin followed in his father's career and joined the U.S. Army, rising to the rank of captain in the Quartermaster's Department.