EASTON, Alexander - 1912 Bio (1842-1934)

EASTON, SPENCE, MARTIN, JOHNSON, KIMEY

Posted By: Debbie Nash - Volunteer (email)
Date: 3/18/2005 at 11:58:03

From the “History of Jefferson County, Iowa” – 1912, Volume II
Pages 309-312

ALEXANDER EASTON

“In few men has the spirit of patriotism been more dominant than in Alexander EASTON, who not only rendered his country valuable aid during the dark days of the Civil war but in times of peace has proven himself equally loyal and public-spirited, his efforts in behalf of Fairfield along material lines being unequalled, perhaps by any other citizen of the community. He was born in Lonaconing, Maryland, on the 2d of September, 1842, a son of Robert and Mary (SPENCE) EASTON, both natives of Scotland, where the former was born in 1800 and the latter in 1812. They were married in the land of hills and heather, when the mother was but eighteen years of age, and about 1832 crossed the Atlantic to America, locating first at Picton, Canada, where their first child was born. Later they crossed the border into the United States, first taking up their abode in Pennsylvania, whence they removed to Maryland. Subsequently they returned to Pennsylvania and there Robert EASTON followed his calling – that of civil engineer – and also engaged considerably in prospecting for mines, etc. He passed away in the Keystone state and his wife later brought her family to Illinois, where her death occurred. Unto them were born ten children, of whom only four are now living, as follows: Robert, residing in Cripple Creek, California; Alexander, of this review; Ellen, the widow of Joseph MARTIN, of Peoria, Illinois; and Agnes, living in Spring Valley, Illinois. Those who have passed away are: two by the name of Sarah; two bearing the name of Mary; Archibald; and Margaret, deceased. The youngest, Sarah, married Robert MARTIN.

It was during the early childhood of Alexander EASTON that the family home was established in Pennsylvania, and in McKeesport, that state, he spent the years of his boyhood and youth. There he acquired a good education in the common schools, and continued at home until twenty years of age, when, prompted by a spirit of patriotism, he enlisted for service in the Civil war, in September, 1862, becoming a private in Company D, Fourteenth Pennsylvania Volunteer Cavalry. His term of service continued until the close of hostilities, or for a period of three and a half years, and in the meantime his record was one of utmost valor and courage, winning for him promotion to the rank of sergeant. He served under Generals Siegel, Averell and Sheridan and participated in forty-two battles and more than eighty skirmishes, including the battles between Gettysburg and Richmond. At one time he was under fire for ninety consecutive days. One of the most interesting incidents of the war which he relates was that of the capture, by him, of a spy south of Morefield, Virginia. Subsequently it was discovered that the spy was a woman in man’s dress. While she was on her way to prison she passed her captor and indicated her feeling of hostility toward him in the prediction that if Jefferson Davis did not kill all of the Union troops within a year Mr. EASTON would within that time find himself in hell. Ere a year had passed Mr. EASTON was wounded and captured at Cedar Creek, sustaining a wound in the leg and having his horse shot from under him. He was then sent to Libby prison and such were the horrors of that loathsome prison pen that he thought that the prediction of the woman had come true. After his wound had partially healed he was sent to Salisbury, North Carolina, and there held as a prisoner until the close of the war. He witnessed the slaughter of several hundred Union prisoners upon their united attempt to escape in December, 1864. While under General Siegel at Martinsburg, Virginia, he had been detailed with eighty men to guard the crossing on North mountain and later rode back to Martinsburg where he believed he would rejoin his command. He found, however, that he was within a block of Earley’s army of fifty thousand Confederate troops. Mr. EASTON lost fourteen out of his eighty men in a running fight back to Hagarstown, Maryland, but after crossing the Potomac found that he was cut off there and lost ten more men in a running fight back to Greenburg, Pennsylvania. His military record was one of which he may well be proud and to men like him the nation owes a debt of gratitude which it can never pay. A strong, sturdy man, weighing one hundred and ninety-six pounds when he enlisted for service, through the terrible hardships and privations of war and the horrors of incarceration in southern prisons he was reduced to but one hundred pounds and for two years thereafter was unfit for any manual labor.

The father of Mr. EASTON had passed away during his absence at the front and his mother had gone to make her home with a daughter in Ohio. There he joined her and spent two years in recuperation, after which he returned to Pennsylvania. Later, however, he went to Illinois, locating in Fairbury, Livingston county, and there resided until 1889, which year witnessed his arrival in Fairfield, Iowa, where he has since made his home. In early life he had pursued a course of study in chemistry and for a time engaged in the bottling business at McKeesport, Pennsylvania, but on removing to Illinois he worked in the mines, quarries and sewers, and later purchased a farm, upon which he carried on general agricultural pursuits. After his arrival in Fairfield he returned to his former occupation and, purchasing a bottling enterprise, gave close attention to its management and conduct for more than two decades. He manufactured pop and extracts and also manufactured his own gas, and the excellence of his output was such that he found a ready sale on the market and his business constantly grew in volume and importance with the passing years. It was not long ere close application, untiring diligence and honorable dealing found well merited reward and prosperity came to him in substantial measure, permitting him, about three years ago, to withdraw from business activity. He is now living retired in Fairfield, enjoying the position which he has so richly earned among the representative and successful business men of this community. He has valuable realty holdings, being the owner of a tract of farm land of eighty acres located three miles east of Fairfield, and two good dwellings in the town, in addition to the pop factory.

Mr. EASTON was married, on the 5th of June, 1879, in Fairbury, Illinois, to Miss Jennie T. JOHNSON, who was born in Vermont, Fulton county, this state, a daughter of Dr. Amos and Malissa (KIMEY) JOHNSON. Unto this union have been born three sons, to all of whom Mr. EASTON has given a substantial start in business life. The first two, Oscar A. and Harvey L., are associated with Ed DeVall in the operation of the Fairfield Steam Laundry. The youngest son, Percy J., is a druggist of Fairfield, engaging in business in connection with Fred Jericho under the firm style of Jericho & EASTON. All are successful young business men, well known and highly respected in this city.

The religious belief of Mr. EASTON is that of the Methodist church, while he maintains pleasant relations with his old army comrades through membership in the Grand Army of the Republic. A close study of political conditions has led him to give his support to republican principles and for many years he has been active and prominent in party ranks here. He served for two years as street commissioner and twelve years as city councilman, and throughout this period probably no other resident of Fairfield did more valuable service toward the permanent development and improvement of the town than did Mr. Easton. In his official capacity he was instrumental in having the surface drainage changed so that each home now has a park, and all of the street paving was superintended by him. He was joined by others and caused the hitching racks to be abolished around the square, an action which caused much ill feeling at the time, and did all in his power to enhance the attractiveness of the village. In the matter of sewers he saved the city twenty-six hundred dollars on contracts and was instrumental in effecting a saving of money to the city in various other ways as well. He has ever been a champion of progress, not only exemplifying the term in his own business career but laboring for general advancement and improvement in the civic life of the community in which he resides, and high on the roll of Fairfield’s most valued and influential citizens is found the name of Alexander EASTON.”

I am copying this for genealogical purposes and am not related to said individuals.

[Admin. note: The Grand Army of the Republic is the fore-runner of the American Legion.]