Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1878-06-26
William Ceoner Eastou.

, The news OF the death OF this gentleman at
back to the minds of old Washingtonians many
Interesting and pleasant memories. From
1873 to 1885, the time of the younger Adams
one of the most respected and admired of our
townsmen, and many of them still surviving
from 'front.' that Long past generation will, it is be-
brief record of his life and his admirabl per-
SOnal qualities.
His parents, originally of Providence, RI,
removed, about the beginning of the century
to the city of Baltimore, where his father was
for some years connected with the old New
York house of Minturn, Grinnell & Co., and
the Sth of August, 1894. He established
his home in Washington at the age of nineteen.
ana during the twelve years that he lived here,
dent jackson, and of Gen. Cass. Gen. Gibson
and others, then among the most honored res
idents of our city; He was for some years
chief clerk of the Department of Subsistence
under Gen. Gibson, and while thus EMPLOYED,
and deVotfng much of his leisure to literary
culture, he pursued the study of law with such
diligence and capacity that when he removed
in 1895, to Mobile, he became. in a few months''
member OF the eminent law firm of Stewart
Thornton, of that city. Mr.. Thornton soon
afterwards retiring, the firm became Stewart
Mr.. Easton practiced law alone till 1874, when
he was compelled by declining health to quit
the profession he had practiced about forty
years with excellent reputation and success
In that same year he lost his wife, lady
whose singular beauty, dignity and sweetness
OF character added always a great charm to
his home, as will be tenderly Remembered hy
his old friends, both of Washington and M5-
Bile. In January, 1877, he accompanied his
ION, Dr.. Thomas s. EastOn, to New York. and
there remained until his death on the 22i of
May, in the present year.
The writer of this notice remembers as a
child, when Mr.. Easton was living in Wash
lngton. the exquisite sweetness of his manner
aud the kindness of his disposition and
many, years afterwards enjoyed an intimate
friendship with him and his family at their
lovely home on the shores of Mobile bay Here
Mr.. EaStOn lived, surrounded by every do
nestle attraction that warm affection and
elegant culture could bestow. His ample for
pracClce, enabled him to provide himself with
a fine library and with choice works of art
and he lived among them aS among familiar
ana valued friends. His hearty hospitality
ms charming courtesy, and his conversation.
always rich with wit and ShreWd humUr and
The 1rult or enthusiastic study of literature
and art, made his home delightful resort for
All whose privilege it was to be his guests
" lth these social and domestic graceS he COM
blned warmth OF regard for his friends, and
purity, dignity, and integrity of character
which gained and maintained for him the at
Iachment and respect OF all who knew him.
HIS ready generosity to others involved him in
severe pecunlary losses after the termination
OF the war. so that when the writer last saw
MN IN New York. only few weeks before his
dtdth. he was broken in fortune as well as in
hedlth but there was still the same sweetness
or manner, the same keen en- jOyment Of books
ana arr and the same warm affection which
had made him so lovely in better times. He
TAXED much OF bis old friends in Washington
and seemed to have no brighter retrospect
IMAM that OF the years Of young manhood which
he spent as q WaShingtOnian C. B.