Sedgwick County KSGenWeb

Portrait And Biographical Album of Sedgwick County, Kan.

Chapman Brothers 1888

Pages 201

HENRY S. EASTMAN, a leading farmer and stock-raiser of Rockford Township, has his home on section 14.  He evidences by the manner in which he carries on his business that he thoroughly understands the vocation in which he is engaged, and that success is attending his efforts toward acquiring a competency.  Neatness and order prevail upon his place, which is managed, with regard to its  cultivation, in a manner which reflects great credit upon the owner.

      Mr. Eastman is a native of Ohio, having been born near the town of Salem, Jan. 22, 1849, and is the son of Timothy R. and Elizabeth Gilbert (Gould) Eastman, natives of Vermont and Ohio respectively.  The family removed to Iowa about 1853 and settled in Linn County, where they remained until their death.  His father died in 1876, and his mother in 1878.  Our subject was educated in the excellent schools provided by the State of Iowa for the rising generation, and upon attaining mature years commenced farming on his own account in the Hawkeye State. In 1870 he came to the State of Kansas and settled in Sedgwick County, where, Dec. 4, 1873, he was united in marriage with Miss Martha E. Oldham, the daughter of J. D. and Caroline (VanSant) Oldham, natives of Maryland.  The bride was born Dec. 1, 1843, in Lawrence County, Ind., and was educated in the common schools of Iowa, where she lived in her childhood.  Her mother died Dec. 24, 1870, but her father is still surviving and resides in El Dorado, this State, having retired from the furniture business in which he was engaged.  In 1871 Mrs. Eastman, then Miss Oldham, came to Kansas, and on the 31st of August of that year, pre-empted a quarter-section of land on section 14, Rockford Township, where she and her husband now reside.  She was among the pioneers of the township and county, and a true representative of the class of active, energetic and intelligent women reared in the great Hawkeye State.

      The subject of our sketch has brought the entire tract of land on which he lives under a state of most excellent culture, and has set out a fine orchard of young and thrifty trees, and a considerable quantity of the smaller fruits.  He is devoting a large share of his attention, like many others of the more prosperous farmers of this part of the country, to fine graded stock, and is meeting with most excellent success in a pecuniary way.  Of course, this being a corn country, a large portion of the farm is devoted to that cereal, which necessitates considerable industry and labor upon his part.  He is a member of the Christian Church and a consistent and sincere follower of our Lord.  He is ever ready to testify for the faith, and speak a word of warning to the unrepentant sinner.  In his politics he affiliates with the Republican party, deeming that organization the most progressive and suited to the genius of the American people.

      The fireside of Mr. and Mrs. Eastman has been enlivened by the advent of six children, as follows: J. Ranciville, who was born Aug. 27, 1876; Harlan E., who was born April 11, 1878, but died October 14 of the same year; Carrie G., whose birth took place Dec. 14, 1879; Thomas H., Feb. 25, 1881; Laura E., Jan. 18, 1884; and Baby, whose birth took place Aug. 24, 1885, and died Aug. 26, 1886.

[ Home ]