Eastman, James 1832-1907

EASTMAN, HADLEY, JOY, MOORE

Posted By: Barbara Hug (email)
Date: 2/23/2005 at 12:34:12

James Eastman, Sr., whose death occurred Wednesday morning, February 20, 1907, had been a resident of Newton since the spring of 1856, and thus this city has been his home for more than half a century.

England was his native home. He was born in the year 1832 on July 2nd, at Bruton. When sixteen hears of age he came to Canada and remained until he reached his majority, then came to the United States.

A couple of years after arriving here he was married to Miss Martha Hadley at Arcade in New York State. It was just two years ago July 8th that they celebrated their golden wedding anniversary.

Since coming to Newton Mr. Eastman has followed his trade of contractor and builder, and many of the best public buildings and finest dwellings in our city and vicinity were constructed under his supervision. His work was most accurate and successful and his rare gift of achievement was noteworthy. When plans were put into his hands there was not a doubt but what all would be completed as planned even at a loss to the builder. An incident when he was building the country home just north of this city, of the late Rev. C. C. Harrah, will explain this fact very clearly.

Rev. Harrah was at that time located at Peoria, Ill. He wished a fine residence built on his farm here as he expected soon to come to Jasper County to reside. All plans and arrangements were made by correspondence, and at last a contract was agreed upon.

This was in the early springtime, and in order to make his word good and have the building in progress that it might be completed at the time called for by the contract, Mr. Eastman, because of the late spring, was at a great loss getting the foundation, which was a fine one, ready for the building. The weather and other conditions, which he could not control, caused the erection of the dwelling to be put up at a loss to the contractor.

Not one word did he say about it, no complaint did he make. In fact but one other person knew what a loss he had sustained.

After spending several hours with Mr. Eastman and getting no other answer but that he had simply lived up to the plans, and that he had received all that the contract called for, Mr. Harrah discovered he would have to get the information he desired from some other source, which he did, and finally made things right and to his own satisfaction.

There are honest, trusty men and the deceased was one. His heart was in his business and he forgot to conserve his strength. Naturally quiet and reserved he was withal a man whom one could count on as a faithful friend and neighbor.

Four years ago Mr. Eastman suffered a general breakdown with heart trouble, and though at times he has been quite comfortable he had never fully recovered but was able to be around the house most of the time until about one week before the end, when he suffered an attack, which resulted in his death.

He is survived by his loving wife, who with his daughter, Mrs. Arthur Joy, has gently cared and nursed him during his illness. Another daughter, Mrs. Harry Moore, of Garber, Oklahoma, who did not come for the funeral; two sons, James H. for the present engaged at Anamosa, and George of Omaha, who arrived soon after their father’s death, and seven grandchildren.

Many of the pioneers of Newton and friends of the deceased gathered this afternoon at the Congregational Church to pay tribute to his memory, and absent friends who could not be present sent floral tributes.

A fact worthy of mention is that the funeral services were in a church built by the deceased.

A simple service was conducted by Rev. Appleby, his pastor. A quartette, Miss Lettie Earley, Mrs. Charles Griebeling, Fred Meredith and Ben Woodrow sang several hymns and Miss Earley sang a solo. Mrs. C. M. Fisk was the accompanist. Those acting as pallbearers were Racy Townsend, O. N. Wagley, Charles Ritter, J. M. Woodrow, F. R. Witmer and O. C. Meredith. The interment was in the Newton Cemetery. ~ The Newton Daily News, Friday, February 22, 1907, Page 4, Column 3