Eastman, Kate Dewey (1843-1917)

EASTMAN, DEWEY

Posted By: Paul Nagy (email)
Date: 1/18/2016 at 23:25:55

Kate Dewey-Eastman
May 11, 1843 - December 1, 1917

CAME HERE IN LONG AGO

Mrs. George Eastman's Earth Life Ended.

WATCHED CITY DEVELOP

Pioneer Woman Lived in Same House For Nearly Forty Years.

Mrs. George H. Eastman, one of the beloved pioneer women of Storm Lake, died at the Eastman home on Geneseo street, Saturday, December 1, 1917. 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. Mrs. Eastman had been remarkably strong and healthy all her life and Mr. Eastman had always been proud of the fact that only once in 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, December 1, 1917. Between those two dates there is a long 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.

Lived Here Since 1873

When a young child Mrs. Eastman moved from her birth place in the south to Elgin, Ill., 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, November 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, Ill, where they resided two years before coming to Storm Lake where they have lived together for forty-five 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 of Storm Lake and teach the village school. The couple arrived in this city on November 3, 1871, and went to housekeeping in what was known for many years as the George Brown home on Geneseo street.

First Thanksgiving Here

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 [sic] 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 forty-three years the Eastmans have lived on the same lot, and for thirty-nine years in the same house. When not engaged in teaching his sixty-five pupils, Mr. Eastman, found time to erect a small house, where they lived for four years until the present home was built. There were no buildings 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 no less than three feet since the days that Mr. Eastman was obliged to wear boots to wade 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 functions. Boys and girls, now grown with signs of age creeping on, well 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 these whose hearts were heavy. Always deeply interested in those about her, her opportunities for doing good were manifold in the early days of Storm Lake, and her deeds of kindness are not recorded but live in the minds of the early day residents.

Funeral Held Monday

The last rites were held at the Eastman home on Monday afternoon at two o'clock, conducted by Rev. T. A. Ambler. The pall bearers were W. C. Skiff, J. W. Gilbert, August Dingosch, 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, Ill., who were unable to attend the funeral services.

The bereaved husband has the sympathy of all in the loss of his life companion.

Storm Lake Pilot Tribune. Storm Lake, Iowa, 07 Dec 1917.