The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1855-07-21
Tbr Californian.
s.x-s:o,crnOr slmrurr Eaton.

In the death Of this gentleman, Vermont
has experienced 10 ordinary loss. The very
existence among W. Of man who has been
constantly in office over twenty years, and
has not solitary stain upon his official rcpu-
tation. is, of itself, a constant and living re-
fn,aton Of the thouahtless slanders often ut
tered concerning the universal corruption of
occ-ho'lers, and a powerful incentive to
like tai,hfulncss on the part Of those in Of
fee And. the leading events in the life of
such a man ought to be put upon record.
IIorAcr EATON was born in Barnard, VT.
June %, 1sot When he was quite young.
DR.. f. Eaton. his father, moved from Bar
nard to Euoshurgh, Franklin co. He grad
rated at Niddlcbury College in 1S25.-
While IN Col,crc lie maintained highly re-
spcctanic staining As a student, and was re-
markably popular anon. his fellow students
Dnrinr his first wear after graduating he was
rrcccptor of addison County Grammar
School in Midlchury. and commenced read
mo his profession under the direction OF DR..
iona \. Allen of that place. lIavn. fur
thcr pursued his studies with his father, he
attended lectures at the Vermont Academy
of Medicine, at Castlcton. and there received
The .,rurer of NJ ~ in 1928. From that time
MI bp
was engaged in the practice Of medicine. cx-
cent when prevented hv official duties. In
1929. when only - years Of age, he was G.
icc:ch representative Of the town of Enos-
buruh IN the General As>cmblv-the town,
l., il remembered in Which he was brought
~, and was rc-clcctcd the next year. He
was aran elected to the came Office in 1880
and 1886 In 1887 he was a member OF the
Senate. In 1898, bcin. a candidate for re-
election. he was defeated the only defeat he
ever had when candidate for any Office And
It is a curious circumstance that his defeat
was caused bv his not being sound. accord
ING to the then popular view, on Canada pol
1;cs. i.c. his views on The rebellion were not
the same with those of the majority Of the
voters in Franklin County. In the years IS
50. 10. ~. and -, he was amember OF the
Senate. The Constitutional Convention OF
1sA3 numbered him among its members
In 1875; he was elected Lieut.. Governor. and
also in 1871 and -. In 1916 he became
Governor. and held that office two years
While IN the LEGISLATURE he was one OF the
ulu,, tut,i; industrious, influential aud
,sciul members. As President OF the SEN
ate. while Lieut.. Governor, he hai no supc-
rlorS, and few if any equals. lie was uni
iormv scf-posscsscd and gentlemanly, was
thorcuchlv vcr>cd in Parliamentary rnlc, and
unusually prompt in its application, and clear
IN its explanation when questions of order
,amc up for discussion. His messages. pro-
,amation> and other State papcrs, while he
was Governor. are fine specimens of correct
ness and .ood taste in this style of writing.
In lslj. he was appointed State Superln-
tcn,lcnt of Common Schools, the office having
been created at that session of the l.c.isla-
tnre This Office he held five wears, and
thereby rendered most important service to
the S,atc-much more important than is gen.
orally appreciated. 1t may well he doubted
whether our school system conld have been
kept in operation during those five years, had
any man Of less personal popularity than
Gov Eaton been at the head of affairs. And
1t NAV equally well he doubted whether the
notification of the school law of which the
LEGISLATURE has been guilty of late years,
would have occurred If he had not with
lrawn from the Office of superintendent
Ills reports while in that Office are among the
most valuable and best written public docu-
mcnts our State has issued Of late years. and
hi. official measures were all marked with an
extraordinary adaptcdncss to the state OF
ihncs actually existing at the time. They
were calculated to d!Sarm rather than pro
woke. to melt away rather than crush opposi
ton and were generally successful in accom-
pli>ling their design.
IN 1918, Gov. Eaton became Professor of
4 IhcmiStry and Natural Philosophy in Mid
l!cbury College In this position he remain
Il, commanding the respect and affection of
The Faculty and students. until August. 1854
III health. &c. then compelled him to resign
He died i'll Mildcburv. July !, 1873, agel
u. His remains were carried to Enosburgl
Tor nterment For several years before hi
'.'ath, he had been a consistent member of q
Congregational Church.
Although so much in office, Gov. Eaton
was never an office seeker. On the contra
~ "h''e IN the Senate he repeatedly pro.
este. against a nomination, AS attendance
'loh Tie session seriously in.erered with his
i''i'>>onal labors. He was nominated for
'"'U'. ''overnor without any previous intima-
"'" oi The existence of any such intention,
'''4 entirely against his own wish. lie was
a. III o'iice because the people demand.d
'v.IcvIn. him capable and Trustworthy.
''! 'he people Of Vermont always choose
''-! men for officers. p
western editor in answer to a COM
!-''!l q. Z patron tho, 10 III