Bio of EASTMAN, George H. (b.1839 d.1920), Hennepin Co., MN
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EXTRACTED FROM: History of Minneapolis, Gateway to the Northwest; 
Chicago-Minneapolis, The S J Clarke Publishing Co, 1923; Edited by: Rev. 
Marion Daniel Shutter, D.D., LL.D.; Volume I - Shutter (Historical); 
volume II - Biographical; volume III - Biographical
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GEORGE H. EASTMAN - Vol II, pg 200-204
Varied and important were the activities of George H. Eastman, who, becoming
identified with Minneapolis in pioneer times, took active part in promoting the
growth and development of the city through the establishment and conduct of
important business affairs which promoted its trade relations and gave it
reputation as a commercial center. He readily recognized the opportunities to be
found in the northwest and his progressive spirit made use of all the forces
which were potent in the advancement of the city's interests, as well as in the
upbuilding of his own fortunes. His is the story of New England thrift and
enterprise grafted onto western opportunity, for Mr. Eastman was born in Conway,
Carroll county, New Hampshire, on the 9th of February, 1839, being the youngest
in a family of eight children, four sons and four daughters, the others being
William, John, Haskett, Clara T., Charlotte, Annette E. and Caroline C. The
family early became residents of Minnesota. The first of the name to locate in
this state was John Eastman, who settled at St. Anthony and was closely
associated with the development of Minneapolis along various industrial and
commercial lines in the pioneer days. He maintained his residence here to the
time of his death. He was joined by his brother, William W., and they continued
in active business association for an extended period. The eldest of the four
brothers was Haskett Eastman, who reached Minneapolis several years after his
brothers had taken up their abode here. Like them, he became a dominant figure
in business circles and at the time of his death was the executive head of the
well known lumber firm of Eastman, Bovey & Company. Of the four sisters, Annette
E. became the wife of Charles Thompson, while Charlotte was the wife of Judge
David A. Seacombe, who was a distinguished pioneer lawyer of Minneapolis and
also served as probate judge. Clara T. Eastman became the wife of John De
Laittre, now deceased, and with her resides her sister Caroline.
George H. Eastman spent his youthful days in his native state, where he enjoyed
the educational opportunities afforded by the public schools, and in March,
1858, when a youth of nineteen years, his brothers having previously come to
Minnesota, he made his way to this state, which was still under territorial rule
at that time, and took up his abode at St. Anthony. He had learned the
papermaking trade under the direction of his father, William K. Eastman, who in
St. Anthony. George H. Eastman had been in the state for two years when he
supplemented his knowledge gained in the common schools of New England by study
under the preceptorship of Dr. Gray and became one of the first students of the
State University. A little later he found employment in a paper mill that had
been erected and equipped by his brother William at the upper end of Hennepin
Island, at which time the average output of this pioneer paper manufactory was
but two tons per day. For a year George H. Eastman remained in the paper mill,
at the end of which time his brother sold the business and he then returned to
his old home in New Hampshire. In 1861, by way of the Isthmus route, he made the
trip to California, where his experiences were varied and interesting. For a
time he filled the position of superintendent of the government toll road over
the Sierra Nevada mountains and he also devoted a year to the mining of gold in
the placer fields of Calaveras county, where he met with a fair measure of
success.
The year 1866 witnessed the return of Mr. Eastman to Minneapolis, at which time
he rented the Prescott flour mill on Hennepin Island, which up to this time had
been operated at a loss. Within a period of six months he had placed it upon a
substantial paying basis and the owners then insisted on again assuming control,
and as Mr. Eastman had no lease, he had to accede to their demands. It was at
this time that he assumed supervision over the erection of the first grain
elevator built in Minneapolis, of which he became manager and so continued for
eight years. During that period others followed his example and seven or eight
elevators were built in this city. In 1870 he resigned the management of the
elevator and became a partner of his brother, William W., in the erection and
operation of the Anchor mill. In the meantime he and his brother had also
engaged in the manufacture of grain reapers, having put out the first automatic
reaper, which was called the Valley Chief. With the sale of the Anchor mill,
George H. Eastman took over a hardware store located on Bridge square. With him
was associated his brother, William W., who sold his interest in the business to
T. B. Janney, and in 1875 another change in the partnership led to the adoption
of the firm name of Janney, Brooks & Eastman, Mr. Eastman remaining in active
connection with the business until 1883, when he sold out and the firm became
Janney, Semple, Hill & Company.
With his retirement from the business Mr. Eastman traveled abroad, visiting the
various European countries, Egypt, China, Japan and other sections of the
Orient. Four times he made European tours and found great enjoyment in visiting
the many scenes of modern and historic interest in the old world. In 1884 he
became associated with his brother, William W., in the erection of a large hotel
at Hot Springs, Arkansas, and for twenty years he was connected with the
operation of one of the leading baths in that popular resort, where he passed
the winter months. In business affairs he displayed notably sound judgment, with
a ready recognition of the opportunities that came to him, and as the years
passed he gained a place among the men of wealth and affluence in the northwest.
In Minneapolis, in 1869, Mr. Eastman was united in marriage to Miss Caroline W.
Holt, a daughter of Edwin E. Holt, an influential citizen and honored pioneer
resident here, who in 1867 removed from New York to Minneapolis and acquired
large property holdings in this city. He was a native of Connecticut and in
early manhood he wedded Anna Stewart, who was born in New York. After arriving
in Minneapolis in 1867 he devoted his attention to the grain trade and elevator
business and success in substantial measure crowned his intelligently directed
efforts. To Mr. and Mrs. Eastman were born a son and a daughter: Eugene Holt,
who is now a physician of Chicago; and Florence M., who died at the age of seven
years. The former married Miss Leona Snyder of Akron, Ohio, in 1906. He is a
graduate of the Hahnemann Medical College of Chicago and has long successfully
engaged in practice in that city. Mr. and Mrs. Eastman became acquainted as
members of a Sunday school class and were always deeply interested in church
work. From the time of his arrival in Minneapolis, Mr. Eastman was associated
with the Church of the Redeemer and taught a class in the Sunday school for many
years, while in all branches of the church work he took deep and helpful
interest. His political allegiance was ever given to the democratic party and he
belonged to the Minneapolis Club as one of its charter members, also the
Minneapolis Civic & Commerce Association. He likewise had membership in the
Ancient Order of United Workmen, becoming one of the organizers of the first
lodge of that kind in the city. No history of Minneapolis would be complete
without extended reference to George H. Eastman and the family, for it was they
who built the first homes on Nicollet Island, and at one time conducted a
grocery store on the site of the present Lockwood machine shop on Main street
through the passing years the brothers bore active and influential part in
shaping the industrial and commercial development of the city. Their labors were
productive of splendid results and by reason of their capability and force of
character they became recognized as most distinguished factors in the growth of
the northwest, enjoying the respect and honor of all. George H. Eastman was
called to his final rest on the 27th of February, 1920.