My Genealogy Hound

ANDREW J. EASTON, an enterprising general farmer, prominent citizen and Supervisor of Berrien Township, Berrien County, Mich., is a native of Indiana, and was born September 30, 1834. His father, Thomas Easton, a tiller of the soil by occupation, and by birth a Kentuckian, who had removed from his early home, and located in Indiana, fought in the Sac Indian War. The mother, Mrs. Catherine (King) Easton, was born in Virginia, and afterwards made her home in Kentucky, in which State the parents were united in marriage. They emigrated to Illinois in pioneer days, but subsequently removed to Indiana. In the fall of 1838, they located permanently in Michigan, settling upon section 11, Berrien Township, on heavy timber-land, three miles from any settlement. The father entered forty acres from the Government, and in the fall bought forty more. Afterwards adding to his former purchases, he owned at the time of his death a homestead of one hundred and twenty finely cultivated, acres. When the parents made their home in Berrien County, Indians abounded and wild game was plentiful. The father, in common with the majority of pioneer settlers, had but a very limited capital, and with the aid of his sons did the entire work of the farm, clearing the land, cultivating the soil, and erecting as good buildings as he could afford. The parents, now both deceased, were blessed by the birth of eleven children, six of whom are living. The eldest, Nancy McCoy, is deceased, as is also the first-born son, Dr. Berryman Easton; Oliver is residing in Niles Township; Thomas is a citizen of Dowagiac; Henderson lives in Pipestone Township; Mahala, widow of David Riggin, is a resident of Berrien Township; Jane Williams is at home in Pokagon, Cass County; Andrew J., our subject, is next in order of birth; William, George and Martha are deceased. The parents did the best they could to give their children an education, and, members of the United Brethren Church, brought them up to respect religion. The father, politically a Democrat, was an upright and industrious citizen, by hard work winning his upward way. Mr. Easton spent the days of youth upon his father’s farm, but was only four years of age when he accompanied his parents to Michigan, and was obliged to walk three miles to the little log schoolhouse where he received the primitive instruction offered in those early days. At twenty years of age beginning life for himself, he bought one hundred and twenty acres of land where he now lives. At the time of purchase twenty acres had been cultivated, and there was only one improvement, a small house.

In the fall of 1855, Andrew J. Easton and Miss Emmarillis P. Willis, a daughter of Billy Willis, were united in marriage. Mrs. Easton was born in 1836, in Ohio, but when young accompanied her parents to Michigan, where they were numbered among the leading pioneer settlers. Our subject with his estimable wife settled on his farm, which he industriously cleared and improved. Prospering, he has added to his original tract, now owning two hundred and thirty acres, of which one hundred acres are in a high state of productiveness. Aside from the culture of the soil and the raising of abundant harvests of grain, Mr. Easton is a successful stock-raiser, handling only graded stock, cattle and horses. Seven children brightened the home, and four yet survive. Marion Alva married Miss Adaline Becker and lives on the farm. He and his wife are the parents of four children. James Willard, the second son, is single. Ida, the wife of Martin Becker, has two children, and resides in Cass County. Ella is the youngest surviving member of the family. Mrs. Easton is connected with the Christian Church, and has been active in religious and benevolent work.

Fraternally our subject is a member of the Ancient Free & Accepted Masons, affiliating with the lodge at Berrien Springs, and is a member of the United Workmen at Eau Claire and has also been Master of the Grange. Officially he has been a member of the School Board, and, appreciating the advantages of an education, has materially aided in the development of a high grade of scholarship and instruction in the schools of the home district. Politically Mr. Easton is a strong Democrat and has served as Constable, and this spring elected to the responsible office of Supervisor, is now discharging the duties of his new position to the great satisfaction of his fellow-townsmen. The Easton family have been known as earnest and patriotic citizens, and the elder brother of our subject, Dr. Berryman Easton, was a skillful surgeon upon the battlefields of the Civil War.