Eastman, Kate (1843-1917)

EASTMAN, DEWEY, COWLES

Posted By: Geo Clinton (email)
Date: 1/6/2016 at 13:58:21

Storm Lake Pilot Tribune - December 7, 1917 - Mrs George H Eastman, one of the beloved pioneer women of Storm Lake, died at the Eastman home on Geneseo street, Saturday December 1. The announcement of her death was a distinct shock to the people of this city, for it was not generally known that she was in a precarious condition.

Mr Eastman had been remarkably strong and healthy all her life and Mr Eastman had always been proud of the fact that only once in all their married life was a physician needed. Three weeks ago she suffered a severe attack of Neuritis and later it was discovered that she was afflicted with a tumor. Her condition however permitted her to be about the house each day until the day of her death, when a sudden attack of heart disease snuffed out her life and death ensued shortly after a physician reached her side.

It is not enough to say that Kate Dewey Eastman was born in New Orleans, LA May 11, 1843 and died in Storm Lake Dec 1, 1917. Between those two dates there is along span of years brimful of interesting epochs and bits of history of the long ago which mirror clearly the early days of this city. The review of the life of this pioneer woman will recall to the minds of the old settlers the hardships of the early days and the pleasures enjoyed in a new country.

When a young child, Mrs Eastman moved from her birth place in the south to Elgin, IL where she grew to womanhood. At the time of the Chicago fire in 1871, she was living in the city and the flames were checked when within a block of her home. The remembrance of that awful experience remained with her always.

A month after the fire, Nov 6, 1871, she was united in marriage to George H Eastman by Dr Goodspeed, pastor of the leading Baptist church of Chicago. They established their first home in Maywood, IL where they resided two years before coming to Storm Lake where they have lived together for 45 years.

E.C. Cowles, a boyhood friend of Mr Eastman, was operating what is now the Wagner elevator and he induced him to come out to Storm Lake and teach the village school. The couple arrived in this city on Nov 3, 1873 and went to housekeeping in what was known for many years as the George Brown home on Geneseo street.

Way back in 1873, Mr and Mrs Eastman established a custom from which they never departed but twice. On Thanksgiving day Mrs Eastman prepared a feast of good things and asked their friend, Mr Cowles, then unmarried to join them. As each year passed there were others joined them, including the L.E. Ballou family and every year these families were sure of enjoying a sumptuous repast at the Eastman home on turkey day. On Thanksgiving day this year, ill health would not permit the annual affair and Mr and Mrs Eastman spent the day quietly, which was destined to be their last one together.

For 43 years the Eastmans have lived on the same lot and for 39 years in the same house. When not engaged in teaching his 65 pupils, Mr Eastman found time to erect a small house, where they lived for 4 years until the present home was built. There were no building between the Eastman home and the lake and no sidewalks south of the railway tracks.

A well beaten path led from the Eastman home to the site of the present telephone building. Lake avenue has been filled in with no less than 3 feet since the days that Mr Eastman was obliged to wear boots to wade in the mud to school, which was conducted in the old Smith Hall, in day time a well regulated educational center and at night the scene of social gatherings.

Boys and girls, now grown with signs of age creeping on, will remember Mrs Eastman, who was always ready and willing to do her part. In cases of sickness and where grim death had stolen in, she was always there to nurse the patient back to health or comfort those whose hearts were heavy. Always deeply interested in those about her.

The last rites were held at the Eastman home on Monday afternoon at 2 o'clock conducted by Rev Ambler. The pall bearers were W.C. Skiff, J.W. Gilbert, August Dlugosch, W. Earl Lawrence, Dr W.M. Storey, and Roy W Murray.

Mrs Eastman is survived by her husband, and two sisters, who reside in Elgin, Illinois, who were unable to attend the funeral services.