Biographies | 1896 Bios
Wells Wentworth Eaton
Mr. Eaton dates his birth in Green county, Wisconsin, April 8, 1853. His father, Wells Eaton, deceased, was the son of English parents and was born on the Bay of Fundy in Nova Scotia. He was there reared and married, the lady of his choice being Miss Mary Wood, who, like himself, was born and reared in Nova Scotia. They came to the United States about 1844 and settled in Allamakee county, Iowa, in 1853. Wells Eaton was a hardy pioneer, was by occupation a calker of vessels, and was for years employed by the well known Alexander McGregor, an old Mississippi boatman. In Allamakee county Mr. Eaton spent the remainder of his life, and died at the age of fifty-nine years, his death occurring on the farm he had acquired there. He was a man of deep religious convictions and was identified with the United Brethren Church. Politically he was a Republican. His widow is still living, is now seventy years of age and makes her home in Postville, Iowa. They had eleven children, namely: Albert, Edwin, Maggie, Wells W., Etta, Eunice, Amanda, Eliza, Frank, Scott and Alfred. All are living except Albert and Alfred, and four have been popular and successful teachers-Eunice, Amanda, Eliza and Wells W.
Wells W. Eaton, the subject of this review, was reared on his father's farm in Allamakee county, Iowa. His education was received in the public schools and at Waukon College, and at the early age of eighteen he began teaching. His career as a teacher covered a number of years and included twenty-six school terms, during which time he gained a wide acquaintance and a popularity with the best people among whom he taught. In 1875 .he purchased a farm of eighty acres near Yale, Guthrie county, and for the next sixteen years devoted his energies to agricultural pursuits in which he was fairly successful. On retiring from his farm he moved to Panora, where he has since been largely interested in a grain and coal business. His elevator has a capacity for 6,000 bushels of wheat and 8,000 bushels of corn.
Mr. Eaton was married in Allamakee county, in 1875, to Miss Ella E. Hall, who was born and reared in this State, daughter of Reuben K. and Elizabeth (Desbrough) Hall, both deceased, her father having died in Guthrie county, and her mother in Allamakee county. Mr. Hall was an old soldier, a member of the Twenty-seventh Iowa Infantry, in which he served as Sergeant, and made a record as a gallant soldier. Mr. Hall was a relative of Reuben Knox, of Kentucky fame, and was named in honor of him, his middle name being Knox. Mr. and Mrs. Eaton have four children, Cloy W. and Myrta M., both graduates of the Panora high school with the class of 1895, and Harvey H. and Flossie F.
Mr. Eaton is a man of broad and progressive views, gives his support to the advancement of religious and educational interests, and is regarded as one of the leading citizens of his place. He has served on the School Board, and at this writing is Town Recorder. Politically he is a Republican. Fraternally he maintains a membership in the Knights of Pythias Lodge, No. 176, and the Modern Woodmen, No. 1717, both of Panora; and both he and his wife are active members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, of which he is Steward.
A Memorial and Biographical Record of Iowa, Chicago, The Lewis Publishing Company 1896, pg. 82.