For
Muscatine County Iowa
1911
| Biographies For Muscatine County Iowa 1911 | |
Source: History of Muscatine County Iowa, Volume II, Biographical, 1911, page 601
MARTIN F. EATON....Martin F. Eaton, whose services as a painter and decorator are in great demand, has made his home in Muscatine and vicinity for a period of forty-eight years and enjoys a wide and favorable acquaintance here. His place of business is at No. 114 Chestnut street. His birth occurred in Fulton township, Muscatine county, Iowa, on the 27th of March, 1862, his parents being James A. and Mary E. ( Davis ) Eaton, both of whom are natives of Indiana. The father followed farming in early manhood and took up his abode among early settlers of this county, purchasing and locating upon a tract of eighty acres in Fulton township, where all except one of his children were born and reared. Being elected sheriff, he served in that capacity for two terms and then became the proprietor of a knitting factory on Second street. Subsequently he purchased an interest in the ferry boat and ran it successfully for many years or until the high bridge was built. He then went to Keokuk and began the operation of a farm near that city but later disposed of the property and bought a farm on the island at Muscatine, where he owned one hundred and thirty-four acres of land. In the summer of 1910 he sold the place and has since lived in honorable retirement. He is widely recognized as a prominent and respected citizen of the community and for four or five years served as city marshall. Both he and his wife are devoted and consistent members of the Baptist church, exemplifying its teachings in their daily lives.They are the parents of seven children, three sons and four daughters, as follows : Demetrius T., of Muscatine ; Calvin, who is a resident of Wichita, Kansas ; Aren Tesa, the wife of Art S. Lawrence, of Muscatine ; Martin F., of this review ; Laura, who is the wife of C. B. Bird and resides in Wausau, Wisconsin ; Rita, who gave her hand in marriage to Carl Tyrrell and lives in St. Paul, Minnesota ; and Myrtle, the wife of Charles Bruin, of Kansas City, Missouri.
Martin F. Eaton was reared in the city of Muscatine and vicinity and attended the public schools in the acquirement of an education. He was a lad of nine when the family home was established in Muscatine and when about sixteen years of age began clerking in the furniture and undertaking establishment of Charles Campbell, in whose employ he remained for three years. Subsequently he spent six years as a printer in the offices of the Muscatine Tribune and Journal and later was with the Ottumwa Democrat for three years. On the expiration of that period he embarked in business as a painter and decorator and his labors in this connection are bringing him a gratifying financial return. He does both house and sign painting and employs a number of able workmen.
On the 13th of August, 1890, Mr. Eaton was united in marriage to Miss Dora Lipplegoes, a native of Germany and a daughter of Theodore and Wilhelmina Lipplegoes, who were early settlers of Muscatine, Iowa. Unto our subject and his wife has been born a son, Horace.
Mr. Eaton is a republican in politics, supporting the men and measures of that party by his ballot. He is a member of Muscatine Lodge No. 5, I. O. O. F., Prairie Encampment, No. 4, I. O. O. F., and Muscatine Camp, No.106, M. W. A., and has filled all of the chairs in those organizations. For twelve years he served as captain of the team in connection with the Modern Woodmen Camp. Shortly after his marriage he built a nice residence at No. 510 Woodlawn avenue which has since been his home. His life has been one of continuous activity, in which has been accorded due recognition of labor and today he is numbered among the substantial citizens of his native county.
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