Page:The Biographical Dictionary of America, vol. 03.djvu/403

 EATON

EATOX

Joubled the number of its students, trebled its endowment, and added five substantial structures to its college buildings. President Eaton in addi- tion to his duties as the official head of Beloit college acted as professor of history and instructed the classes that took as their subjects "The English Revolution" and " The French Revolution," the

other branches being assumed by Prof. Robert C. Chajjin. President Eaton was also chairman of the board of trustees and of the executive com- mittee of the board. He was absent from the college from Januaiy to Jrme, 1898, when he visited China as a member of the deputation sent by the American board of commissioners for for- eign missions to inspect its work in that country. He received the degree of LL.D. from the Uni- versity of Wisconsin, and that of D.D. from the Northwestern uaiversity, in 1887.

EATON, George Washington, educator, was born in Henderson, Huntington county. Pa., July 3, 1804. His father died when he was young and he was brought up by his mother. He was a student at Ohio university, Athens, 1822-24, and was engaged in teaching, 1824-27. He was grad- uated at Union college, Sclienectady, N.Y., in 1829, and was a tutor in the Belleville, N.Y., academy in 1830. He was professor of ancient languages in Georgetown college, Ky., 1831-33, and acting president durmg six months of 1832-33. He was professor of mathematics and natural philosophy at Hamilton literary and theological institution (afterward Madison university), 1833- 87; professor of ecclesiastical and civil history there, 1837-50; president of Madison imiversity, and professor of systematic theology, 1850-61; professor of intellectual and moral philosophy there, 1856-68; and president of Hamilton theo- logical seminary and professor of homiletics, 1861-71. He received the honorary degree of D. D. from Union college in 1844. He died at Hamil- ton, N.Y., Aug. 3, 1872.

EATON, Horace, governor of Vermont, was born in Barnard, Vt., June 22, 1804; son of Dr. Eliphoz and Polly (Barnes) Eaton. He was taken by his parents to Enosburg, Vt., in 1806. He was graduated from Middlebury college in 1825. He then taught the Middlebury academy two years, and studied medicine at Castleton, where he received his diploma. He practised with his

father at Enosburg until the latter 's retirement He then practised alone and subsequently with his brother. Dr. RoUin Eaton. He was a repre- sentative in the state legislature for six terms, and was elected state senator in 1837 and again m 1839, 1840, 1841 and 1842. He was lieutenant- governor of Vermont, 1843-46, and governor, 1846^8. On his retirement from office he was called to the chair of natural history and chemis- try in Middlebmy college, which he held until his death, in Middlebury, Vt., July 4, 1855.

EATON, James Rodolphus, educator, was born at Hamilton, N.Y., Dec. 11, 1834; second son of the Rev. George W. Eaton, president of Madison university. He was gi-aduated from Madison (now Colgate), university, Hamilton, N. Y., in 1856, and from the Hamilton theological seminary in 1858. He was adjunct professor of mathematics and science in Union university, Murfreesboro, Tenn., 1858-59; prof essor of ancient languages in Bethel college, Russellville, Ky., 1859-61, held a position in the New York city post-office as superintendent of foreign mail, 1861-65; occupied the chair of natural sciences in the Louisville university, Louisville, Ky., 1866-69; and in 1869 accepted the chair of natural sciences and natural theology in the William Jewell college, Liberty, Mo. He was also ap- pointed a member of the board of ministerial education in 1873 and was elected a fellow of the American association for the advancement of science. He was married, June 6, 1872, to Martha E. Lewright of Liberty, Mo. In 1876 Madison university conferred upon him the degree of Ph. D.

EATON, James Webster, lawyer, was born in Albany, N. Y., May 14, 1857; son of James Webster and Eliza M. Eaton ; and a lineal descend- ant of John Eaton who emigrated from Eng- land to Massachusetts and became one of the original proprietors of Salisbury, Mass., about 1634. He was prepared for college at the Boys' academy, Albany, and was graduated from Yale in 1879. In the same year he entered the Colum- bia college law school, but returned to Albany in May, 1880, where lie continued the study of law in the office of Parker & Countryman, at the same time acting as professor of Latin in the Albany boys' academy. In May, 1882, he was admitted to the bar and in the following year foi'med a copartnership with George W. Kirch- wey, which continued until the latter's appoint- ment as professor of law in Columbia college in 1891. Mr. Eaton was elected district attorney for Albany county in 1891. He also .served as in structor in the law of contracts and evidence in the law department of Union university. He was elected a member of the Fort Orange club of Albany, N.Y., and of the Wolf's Head society