Biography of H. J. Eaton of Alpena, Alpena County, Michigan

Copyright (c) 1998 by Jill Olmack. This copy contributed for use in the USGenWeb 
Archives.


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Biography of H. J. Eaton - extracted from The History of the Lake Huron Shore- 
Illustrated 1883

H. J. EATON, carriage and wagon manufacturer, Alpena, was born near the city of 
Rochester, New York. In April, 1861, he en-listed as a soldier in Company D, Second 
Wisconsin Infantry, and remained- in the service until June, 1863. He was' twice 
wounded: in the leg at the Bull Run, and in the hand at the battle of South Mountain. 
In July, 1868, he came to Alpena and worked at lumbering, a considerable portion of the 
time, for eleven years. In the Winter of 1864-'65 he cut out a road, that is now 
Washington Avenue, and the following Summer corduroyed it.  All along that street was 
then a tamarack swamp, with a dense growth of tamarack and cedar.  Most of the ground 
where the city now stands was covered with tamarack, cedar and pine, and the place was 
not an attractive one. In 1874, Mr. Eaton built a shop, and engaged in a general wagon 
making and blacksmithing business. Soon after starting in business, he took in a 
partner, and the firm was Eaton & McTavish, until the Fall of 1875.  Since that time he 
has been alone in business.  His shop is on Chisholm Street, and his business has kept 
pace with the general growth and prosperity of the place. He built his present residence
in 1879. He has a wife and one son.  Mr. Eaton has held the office of sheriff of the 
county two years and was deputy sheriff four years.  He is now one of the 
superintendents of the poor.  He is a member of the Masonic and Odd Fellows 
fraternities.  He belongs to the list of Alpena pioneers who have had a part in 
building up a thriving and substantial city.