My Genealogy Hound

ALFRED EATON was an enterprising and intelligent business man, and a quiet, earnest, Christian gentleman. He was a son of David and Mercy (Groves) Eaton, and was born March 4, 1815, in the town of Portland. His grandfather was Benjamin Eaton, a shoemaker, living at Farmingham, Massachusetts, who died in 1800, leaving among nine other children the father of our subject, David Eaton, who was born in the town just mentioned, February 2, 1782. He was the oldest son, and when nine years of age was put to work on a bench in his father’s shop. Nine years later his father died, and the support of eleven people fell upon him. In 1805, with Nathan Fay, he visited Chautauqua county and made a tour through it looking for a desirable location, then returned to Massachusetts. April 20, 1806, he married Elizabeth Home, and in the following month, accompanied by his mother and other members of his father’s family, in a covered wagon drawn by a team of horses, he started back to Chautauqua. His wife was suffering from feeble health, so that they were obliged to stop at New Hartford, where she died. With a sorrowing heart he pushed on to Portland where he located his land and settled where he lived for sixty-seven years. His mother kept house for him until 1811, when he married Mrs. Nathan Fay nee Mercy Groves, who brought him five children: Edwin, married Caroline P. Baldridge, of Fredonia — he died July 2, 1880 — his widow resides in Frewsburg; Emily became the wife of Josiah Wheeler and lived at Frewsburg, both are deceased; Alfred; Oscar united with Louisa A. Kennedy, and moved to Michigan, and from thence to Forest Grove, from thence to Oswego, Oregon, and died July 13, 1887; and Darwin G., who graduated at the Normal school in Albany, became one of its teachers, then was offered the chair of mathematics and natural sciences in the Packer Institute at Brooklyn, New York, where he taught for more than forty years. He married Ann J. Collins, of Steuben county, October 2, 1850. David Eaton was a man of acknowledged integrity and a highly respected citizen. He served in the war of 1812, and was wounded at the battle of Queenstown, a description being given in the war history. Mr. Eaton was active in politics, and gave many years of service to local offices. In 1809 he was assessor of Chautauqua town; clerk of the board of supervisors from 1820-27 and 1831-32; supervisor of the town for six years, and chairman of the board in 1815; and for many years was justice of the peace. In 1844 he was appointed superintendent of the poor, and held the office for six years. David Eaton died October 7, 1872, his wife May 12, 1862.

Alfred Eaton was reared on the bosom of rural life, and receiving an education which in those days was called good, at the common schools and the Westfield High school, he went back to farming, which he followed through life. In 1836 he went to the wild and almost unknown State of Wisconsin, and settled in Racine county, where he engaged in farming. This employment he continued at that place until 1852 when he returned to the old homestead, continuing his agricultural avocation until he died, April 13, 1890, aged seventy-five years. During the six years previous to his death, advancing years, and the infirmities thereof, precluded the active management of his business, which he delegated to others, and in 1884 he moved to Westfield, but returned to his home before the grim reaper took him home.

While sojourning in Wisconsin he married Hannah C. Clark, a daughter of Jeremiah Clark, of Racine county. To Alfred and Mrs. Eaton there were born two sons and three daughters: Oscar D. is farming a part of the old homestead, his wife is Lovica Brockway, and they have one child living, Elizabeth Pearl; two, Alfred W. and Clyde B., are dead; Emily N. joined in marriage to Daniel E. Arnold, and now resides in Corry, Penna. They have five children — Walter G., Lillie H., Charles G. A., Orlando R. and Kilbourn S.; one infant, Orin, died; and David D. married Emma A. Buck, a daughter of George P. Buck, of Westfield, is a Methodist Episcopal minister, now stationed at Berryville, New York, he has one child, Herbert P.; one daughter, Narrie J., died January 15, 1889, aged thirty-one years. She left a husband, Theron A. Roosa, and four children: Jennet D., Edwin A., Flossy A. and Franklin B.; Myrtie A. lives at home, and is attending the Westfield academy and Union school.

Mrs. Hannah C. Eaton now resides at the old homestead, four miles from Westfield, on the south road. She personally manages the growing vineyard, which produces a large amount of grapes. In politics Alfred Eaton was a republican, and was earnest and enthusiastic in maintaining its principles. He was supervisor of Portland for two years, and was a justice of the peace for several terms. Devotedly attached to the Portland Methodist Episcopal church, he officiated as class leader for many years. Being a man of rare good judgment and of learning, many were accustomed to come to him for advice, which was freely given, and when he died the community mourned, each feeling that he had lost a personal friend.