Eastman, Levi S. 1832-1912

EASTMAN, LARKIN

Posted By: Mary Holub, volunteer (email)
Date: 8/8/2009 at 17:18:44

From: Le Mars Sentinel, April 12, 1912

DEATH OF A PIONEER

OLD AND RESPECTED CITIZEN PASSES TO HIS REWARD

L. S. EASTMAN’S ILLNESS FATAL

He Was a Native of Canada and Came to America When a Youth—Spent a Number of Years with Gold Hunters in West

L. S. Eastman, one of the pioneer settles of Plymouth county and a well known resident of Le Mars for many years, passed away at his home on Plymouth street at a few minutes after eight on Wednesday evening, following a brief illness. He was stricken with an attack of heart failure on Friday, from which he never rallied. It was seen from the first that his case was hopeless. Mr. Eastman had been subject to attacks of this nature for some time past, although of a strong and rugged constitution.

Levi S. Eastman was a native of Canada, where he was born on February 7, 1832, at a place called Napin, and had attained the allotted four score years of a man’s life. He lived in his native place until the age of sixteen, when he went to Grant county, Wisconsin, and engaged in farm work. In 1852, fired by the tales of the gold seekers in the early rush to the California gold fields, Mr. Eastman made his way across the desert to the far West and spent five years of adventurous life in the sunny clime. In 1857 he returned to Wisconsin and the following year was united in marriage to Miss Catherine Larkin on February 9, 1858, and for fifty-four years they traveled life’s journey together. In 1874 Mr. and Mrs. Eastman moved to Hazel Green, Wis., where they lived one year. Mr. Eastman in 1875 drove across the country from Hazel Green until he struck the unbroken prairies of northwestern Iowa, and with foresight and business instinct which were a part of his nature judged that he had struck a garden spot which would provide a living for a family and in years to come proven wealthy and prosperous. He purchased land in Grant township where he settled, thrived and prospered, becoming by hard toil and judicious farming one of the wealthy landowners of this section.

In 1893 with his wife he came to Le Mars, which has been their home since.

To them four children were born, one boy dying in infancy. Those left with the mother to mourn are: E. E. Eastman, of Le Mars; L. O. Eastman, of Decorah, Iowa, and Mrs. Geo. J. Richards, of Le Mars.

Mr. Eastman was active and strong until a short time ago. Despite his weight of years he was as straights as an Indian, tall and lithe, and his familiar figure taking his daily walks will be missed from the life of the city.

He was a member of the Presbyterian church and the funeral will be held from the local church at two o’clock on Sunday, Rev. C. G. Butler officiating.