COLBY FAMILY & OTHERS
Home
Surname List
Name Index
Sources
Email Us
Dolly EATON was born on 7 JUL 1773 in Meredith, Belknap County, New Hampshire. (SOURCE: FHL Film: 1000500; Index to births, early to 1900 New Hampshire. Registrar of Vital Statistics.) (BOOK SOURCE: "The Colby Family in Early America" by Frederick Lewis Weis, Caledonia, The Colonial Press, pub 1970.) Parents: Jacob EATON and Esther COLBY.


Edward S. EATON was born in 1871 in Portland, Cumberland County, Maine. He appeared in the census on 2 JUN 1880 in Portland, Cumberland County, Maine. (living at home with father and mother.) He died on 26 JUL 1896.
Name: Edward S. Eaton
Gender: Male
Burial Date:
Burial Place:
Death Date: 26 Jul 1896
Death Place:
Age: 25
Birth Date: 1871
Birthplace:
Occupation:
Race:
Marital Status:
Spouse's Name:
Father's Name: Woodman S. Eaton
Father's Birthplace:
Mother's Name: Mattie Colby
Mother's Birthplace:
Indexing Project (Batch) Number: I00808-6
System Origin: Maine-EASy
Source Film Number: 12019
Reference Number: p99
Collection: Maine Deaths and Burials, 1841-1910

Parents: Woodman Stephen EATON and Judith Annette COLBY.


Eleanor C. EATON was born about 1800 in New Hampshire.

Spouse: Ichabod COLBY. Ichabod COLBY and Eleanor C. EATON were married on 20 NOV 1825 in Weare, Hillsborough County, New Hampshire. SOURCE: FHL Number 1000976; COLBY, Ichabod, Marriage: Eleanor C. EATON, Date: 20 Nov 1825; Recorded in: Birth and Marriage Index for New Hampshire. Children were: Elbridge C. COLBY.


Elias EATON was born on 27 APR 1769 in Meredith, Belknap County, New Hampshire. (SOURCE: FHL Film: 1000500; Index to births, early to 1900 New Hampshire. Registrar of Vital Statistics.) (BOOK SOURCE: "The Colby Family in Early America" by Frederick Lewis Weis, Caledonia, The Colonial Press, pub 1970.) Parents: Jacob EATON and Esther COLBY.


Elizabeth EATON was born on 13 JAN 1771 in Meredith, Belknap County, New Hampshire. (SOURCE: FHL Film: 1000500; Index to births, early to 1900 New Hampshire. Registrar of Vital Statistics.) (BOOK SOURCE: "The Colby Family in Early America" by Frederick Lewis Weis, Caledonia, The Colonial Press, pub 1970.) Parents: Jacob EATON and Esther COLBY.


Ella F. EATON was born on 15 MAY 1848 in Manchester, Hillsborough County, New Hampshire. Daughter of Elisha Eaton and Roena French Ayer. She died on 23 OCT 1910 at Henniker, Merrimack County, New Hampshire.

Spouse: James Madison COLBY. James Madison COLBY and Ella F. EATON were married about 1868. Children were: Amy E. COLBY.


Ella Roxanna EATON was born on 25 AUG 1855 in Lowell, Middlesex County, Massachusetts. She appeared in the census on 24 AUG 1870 in Lowell, Middlesex County, Massachusetts. (living at home with father and mother.) Parents: Daniel Alvin EATON and Elizabeth Colby EASTMAN.


Emeline EATON (twin) was born on 5 APR 1852 in Cambridge, Middlesex County, Massachusetts. She died young. Parents: Rev. Joseph Warren EATON and Sarah Emeline COLBY.


Emma Maria EATON was born on 11 DEC 1836 in Lowell, Middlesex County, Massachusetts. (SOURCE: Early Vital Records of Essex County, Massachusetts to 1850 for Danvers.) She appeared in the census on 30 JUN 1870 in Chicago, Cook County, Illinois. She appeared in the census on 6 JUN 1900 in Chicago, Cook County, Illinois. Parents: Rev. Joseph Warren EATON and Sarah Emeline COLBY.

Spouse: Sanford Abram SCRIBNER. Sanford Abram SCRIBNER and Emma Maria EATON were married on 11 DEC 1856. Children were: Abram Warren SCRIBNER, Levi Spencer SCRIBNER.


Erminnie J. EATON was born in MAY 1872 in Weare, Hillsborough County, New Hampshire. Daughter of Pillsbury R. EATON & Elvira J. MARSHALL. She appeared in the census in 1900 in Henniker, Merrimack County, New Hampshire. She appeared in the census in 1920 in Newport, Sullivan County, New Hampshire. She appeared in the census in 1930 in Newport, Sullivan County, New Hampshire.

Spouse: Mason Simons COLBY. Mason Simons COLBY and Erminnie J. EATON were married on 24 DEC 1890 in Weare, Hillsborough County, New Hampshire. (SOURCE: FHL Number 1000976; COLBY, Mason S. Age: 25 years, Marriage: Erminnie J. EATON Age: 18 years, Date: 24 Dec 1890; Recorded in: Birth and Marriage Index for New Hampshire.) Children were: Leon Eaton COLBY.


Gertrude May EATON was born date unknown. Parents: Woodman Stephen EATON and Judith Annette COLBY.


Hannah EATON (twin) was born on 4 DEC 1761 in Meredith, Belknap County, New Hampshire. (SOURCE: FHL Film: 1000500; Index to births, early to 1900 New Hampshire. Registrar of Vital Statistics.) She died on 14 JAN 1832 at Campton, Grafton County, New Hampshire. (BOOK SOURCE: "The Colby Family in Early America" by Frederick Lewis Weis, Caledonia, The Colonial Press, pub 1970.) Parents: Jacob EATON and Esther COLBY.

Spouse: Ebenezer CHENEY. Ebenezer CHENEY and Hannah EATON (twin) were married on 3 AUG 1789 in Campton, Grafton County, New Hampshire. Children were: William CHENEY, Betsy CHENEY, Elias Eaton CHENEY, Ebenezer CHENEY, Hannah CHENEY.


Harry Woodman EATON was born date unknown. Parents: Woodman Stephen EATON and Judith Annette COLBY.


Humphrey EATON was born on 1 MAY 1775 in Meredith, Belknap County, New Hampshire. (SOURCE: FHL Film: 1000500; Index to births, early to 1900 New Hampshire. Registrar of Vital Statistics.) (BOOK SOURCE: "The Colby Family in Early America" by Frederick Lewis Weis, Caledonia, The Colonial Press, pub 1970.) Parents: Jacob EATON and Esther COLBY.


Jacob EATON was born on 7 JUN 1702 in Lynn, Essex County, Massachusetts. He died on 7 DEC 1768.

Spouse: Mehitable BREED. Jacob EATON and Mehitable BREED were married on 29 OCT 1727 in Lynn, Essex County, Massachusetts. Children were: Jacob EATON.


Jacob EATON was born about 1730 in Lynn, Essex County, Massachusetts. The family moved to Meridth, New Hampshire about 1766. Jacob was tythingman at Meridith, 2 Apr 1781 - 1 Apr 1782. Parents: Jacob EATON and Mehitable BREED.

Spouse: Esther COLBY. Jacob EATON and Esther COLBY were married on 22 OCT 1754 in Hampstead, Rockingham County, New Hampshire. (SOURCE: FHL Number 1000989; EALTON, Jacob, Marriage: Hester COLBY, Date: 22 Oct 1754; Recorded in: Birth and Marriage Index for New Hampshire.) Children were: Benjamin EATON, Jacob EATON, Mehitable EATON (twin), Bethia EATON (twin), Joseph EATON (twin), Hannah EATON (twin), Sarah EATON, Tamar EATON, Elias EATON, Elizabeth EATON, Dolly EATON, Humphrey EATON.


Jacob EATON was born on 14 MAR 1757 in Meredith, Belknap County, New Hampshire. (SOURCE: FHL Film: 1000500; Index to births, early to 1900 New Hampshire. Registrar of Vital Statistics.) He signed a will on 18 MAY 1816 in Meredith, Belknap County, New Hampshire. He died after 18 MAY 1816 at Meredith, Belknap County, New Hampshire. Jacob was a private in the Revolution. Married Mary (Roberts) Dudley.
(BOOK SOURCE: "The Colby Family in Early America" by Frederick Lewis Weis, Caledonia, The Colonial Press, pub 1970.) Parents: Jacob EATON and Esther COLBY.


John EATON was born about 1762.

Spouse: Sarah COLBY. John EATON and Sarah COLBY were married on 21 JUL 1786 in South Hampton, Rockingham County, New Hampshire. (SOURCE: FHL Film 15561; Church records from the Church of Christ of South Hampton.)


Joseph EATON (twin) was born on 4 DEC 1761 in Meredith, Belknap County, New Hampshire. (SOURCE: FHL Film: 1000500; Index to births, early to 1900 New Hampshire. Registrar of Vital Statistics.) (BOOK SOURCE: "The Colby Family in Early America" by Frederick Lewis Weis, Caledonia, The Colonial Press, pub 1970.) Parents: Jacob EATON and Esther COLBY.


Joseph S. EATON was born in DEC 1847 in Maine. He appeared in the census in JUN 1880 in Isle au Haut, Hancock County, Maine. In 1880 he was a fisherman in Isle au Haut, Hancock County, Maine. He appeared in the census on 9 JUN 1900 in Stonington, Hancock County, Maine. In 1900 he was a carpenter in Stonington, Hancock County, Maine.

Spouse: Sarah Knowlton COLBY. Joseph S. EATON and Sarah Knowlton COLBY were married about 1869.


Rev. Joseph Warren EATON was born on 20 JUL 1811 in Boston, Suffolk County, Massachusetts. (SOURCE: Early Vital Records of Essex County, Massachusetts to 1850 for Danvers.) He died on 29 NOV 1868 at Cambridge, Middlesex County, Massachusetts.

Spouse: Sarah Emeline COLBY. Rev. Joseph Warren EATON and Sarah Emeline COLBY were married on 22 FEB 1836 in Boston, Suffolk County, Massachusetts. (SOURCE: Early Vital Records of Essex County, Massachusetts to 1850 for Danvers.) Children were: Emma Maria EATON, Joseph Warren EATON, Joseph Warren EATON, Mary Gano EATON, Sara Colby EATON, Sarah Oliver EATON, Joseplhine EATON (twin), Emeline EATON (twin).


Joseph Warren EATON was born on 23 AUG 1839 in Bridgeport, Vermont. (SOURCE: Early Vital Records of Essex County, Massachusetts to 1850 for Danvers.) He died on 19 MAY 1842 at Boston, Suffolk County, Massachusetts. (SOURCE: Early Vital Records of Essex County, Massachusetts to 1850 for Danvers.) Parents: Rev. Joseph Warren EATON and Sarah Emeline COLBY.


Joseph Warren EATON was born on 3 AUG 1843 in Danvers, Essex County, Massachusetts. (SOURCE: Early Vital Records of Essex County, Massachusetts to 1850 for Danvers.) Parents: Rev. Joseph Warren EATON and Sarah Emeline COLBY.

Spouse: Emma L. SCRIBNER. Joseph Warren EATON and Emma L. SCRIBNER were married on 24 SEP 1868. Children were: Lewis Spencer EATON, Joseph Warren EATON, Charles Spencer EATON.


Joseph Warren EATON was born on 23 SEP 1870. Parents: Joseph Warren EATON and Emma L. SCRIBNER.


Joseplhine EATON (twin) was born on 5 APR 1852 in Cambridge, Middlesex County, Massachusetts. She died young. Parents: Rev. Joseph Warren EATON and Sarah Emeline COLBY.


Joshua A. EATON was born on 21 AUG 1854 in Bradford, Merrimack County, New Hampshire. He died on 15 AUG 1855 at Bradford, Merrimack County, New Hampshire. Parents: Albert EATON and Augusta A. COLBY.


Lewis Spencer EATON was born on 7 AUG 1869. Parents: Joseph Warren EATON and Emma L. SCRIBNER.


Photo Lucy EATON was born on 5 AUG 1800 in Salisbury, Merrimack County, New Hampshire. (Daughter of Samuel Eaton and Lydia Ladd.) She died on 29 APR 1872 at Enfield, Grafton County, New Hampshire.

Spouse: Alstead BROWNELL. Alstead BROWNELL and Lucy EATON were married on 14 FEB 1835.


Martha EATON was born about 1645 in Salisbury, Essex County, Massachusetts. She died.

Spouse: Thomas PEAVEY. Thomas PEAVEY and Martha EATON were married about 1665. Children were: Edward PEAVEY, William PEAVEY, John PEAVEY.


Martha EATON was born on 12 AUG 1648 in Salisbury, Essex County, Massachusetts. She died on 19 APR 1734 at Salisbury, Essex County, Massachusetts.

Spouse: Benjamin COLLINS. Benjamin COLLINS and Martha EATON were married on 5 SEP 1668 in Salisbury, Essex County, Massachusetts. (SOURCE: Early Vital Records of Essex County, Massachusetts to 1850 for Salisbury.) Children were: Mary COLLINS, John COLLINS, Samuel COLLINS, Anna COLLINS, Benjamin COLLINS, Ephraim COLLINS.

Spouse: Philip FLANDERS. Philip FLANDERS and Martha EATON were married on 4 NOV 1686 in Salisbury, Essex County, Massachusetts.


Mary EATON was born on 16 MAR 1826 in Belper, Derbyshire, England. She died on 29 APR 1891 at Springville, Utah County, Utah.

Spouse: James TAYLOR. James TAYLOR and Mary EATON were married on 6 DEC 1846 in Duffield, Belper, Derbyshire, England.


Photo Mary Ellen EATON was born on 19 JUL 1931 in Newburyport, Essex County, Massachusetts. She died on 5 AUG 2007 at Hampton, Rockingham County, New Hampshire.

Spouse: Gene Harold COLBY. Gene Harold COLBY and Mary Ellen EATON were married about 1953.


Mary Gano EATON was born on 29 MAR 1845 in Danvers, Essex County, Massachusetts. (SOURCE: Early Vital Records of Essex County, Massachusetts to 1850 for Danvers.) She died from dysentery and fever on 22 SEP 1846 at Danvers, Essex County, Massachusetts. (SOURCE: Early Vital Records of Essex County, Massachusetts to 1850 for Danvers.) Parents: Rev. Joseph Warren EATON and Sarah Emeline COLBY.


Mary J. EATON was born on 17 JUL 1856 in Bradford, Merrimack County, New Hampshire. She appeared in the census in 1880 in Bradford, Merrimack County, New Hampshire. (living at home with father and mother.) Parents: Albert EATON and Augusta A. COLBY.


Mehitable EATON (twin) was born on 26 FEB 1759 in Meredith, Belknap County, New Hampshire. (SOURCE: FHL Film: 1000500; Index to births, early to 1900 New Hampshire. Registrar of Vital Statistics.) (BOOK SOURCE: "The Colby Family in Early America" by Frederick Lewis Weis, Caledonia, The Colonial Press, pub 1970.) Parents: Jacob EATON and Esther COLBY.


Mehitable EATON was born in 1818 in Plaistow, Rockingham County, New Hampshire. She appeared in the census in 1870 in Kensington, Rockingham County, New Hampshire. She died on 18 MAR 1876 at Kensington, Rockingham County, New Hampshire.

Spouse: Calvin SAWYER. Calvin SAWYER and Mehitable EATON were married on 28 APR 1854 in Plaistow, Rockingham County, New Hampshire. Children were: Ida May SAWYER, Wesley Lincoln SAWYER.


Nellie F. EATON was born in FEB 1874 in Massachusetts.

Spouse: George William COLBY. George William COLBY and Nellie F. EATON were married on 29 SEP 1897 in Newburyport, Essex County, Massachusetts. (SOURCE: NEHGS, Massachusetts Vital Records, 1841-1910.) They appeared in the census on 21 JUN 1900 in Salisbury, Essex County, Massachusetts. They appeared in the census on 19 APR 1910 in Salisbury, Essex County, Massachusetts. They appeared in the census on 23 JAN 1920 in Salisbury, Essex County, Massachusetts. They appeared in the census on 15 APR 1930 in Amesbury, Essex County, Massachusetts. Children were: Helen B. COLBY.


Olive EATON was born on 24 SEP 1796 in Sanbornton, Belknap County, New Hampshire. Daughter of William Eaton & Betsey Swain.

Spouse: Thomas Cotton WYATT. Thomas Cotton WYATT and Olive EATON were married in 1823.


Olive EATON was born in 1828 in New Hampshire. (Daughter of Daniel Eaton and Belinda.) She appeared in the census in 1850 in Newburyport, Essex County, Massachusetts. (SOURCE: 1850 Massachusetts Census. Newburyport, Essex County, page 259. Age 22.) She appeared in the census in 1860 in Newburyport, Essex County, Massachusetts.

Spouse: William C. COLBY. William C. COLBY and Olive EATON were married on 30 JAN 1849 in Newburyport, Essex County, Massachusetts. (SOURCE: Early Vital Records of Essex County, Massachusetts to 1850 for Newburyport.) Children were: Infant Son COLBY, George Payne COLBY, William Edward COLBY, George A. COLBY, Lottie Knowles COLBY.


Photo Phebe E. EATON was born on 26 DEC 1829 in Lovell, Oxford County, Maine. (daughter of Philip F. Eaton and Phebe Eastman.) She appeared in the census on 6 AUG 1850 in Franklin, Merrimack County, New Hampshire. She appeared in the census on 23 JUL 1870 in Franklin, Merrimack County, New Hampshire. She appeared in the census on 5 JUN 1880 in Franklin, Merrimack County, New Hampshire. She died on 19 JUN 1892 at Franklin, Merrimack County, New Hampshire. She was buried in the Franklin Cemetery at Franklin, Merrimack County, New Hampshire

Spouse: Albert COLBY. Albert COLBY and Phebe E. EATON were married about 1847. Children were: Frank Albert COLBY, Martin Noah COLBY, Ann A. COLBY, Almira F. COLBY, Mary S. COLBY, William S. COLBY, Charles H. COLBY, George Burton COLBY, Ed J. COLBY.


Rebecca A. EATON was born on 4 DEC 1815 in Boston, Suffolk County, Massachusetts. (Daughter of Ebenezer Eaton and Rebecca Revere.) She died on 9 AUG 1894 at Boston, Suffolk County, Massachusetts.

Spouse: Samuel COLBY. Samuel COLBY and Rebecca A. EATON were married about 1839 in Boston, Suffolk County, Massachusetts. Children were: Adelaide Rebecca COLBY, Walter C. COLBY, Samuel K. COLBY, Eben Clarence COLBY, Simeon COLBY.


Rufus EATON was born about 1820.

Spouse: Mary COLBY. Rufus EATON and Mary COLBY were married on 25 AUG 1842 in Ashtabula County, Ohio.


Sally EATON was born in 1779. She died on 31 AUG 1844 at Candia, Rockingham County, New Hampshire.

Spouse: Benjamin PILLSBURY. Benjamin PILLSBURY and Sally EATON were married about 1800. Children were: Hon. David PILLSBURY, Jesse Eaton PILLSBURY.


Photo Samuel EATON was born on 6 AUG 1805 in Plaistow, Rockingham County, New Hampshire. (Son of Jesse Eaton and Hannah Smith.) He died on 25 MAR 1850 at Plaistow, Rockingham County, New Hampshire. He was buried in the Plaistow Cemetery at Plaistow, Rockingham County, New Hampshire

Spouse: Emeline M. COLBY. Samuel EATON and Emeline M. COLBY were married on 30 OCT 1828 in Haverhill, Essex County, Massachusetts.


Sara Colby EATON was born on 8 JAN 1847 in Danvers, Essex County, Massachusetts. (SOURCE: Early Vital Records of Essex County, Massachusetts to 1850 for Danvers.) She died on 15 SEP 1848 at Danvers, Essex County, Massachusetts. (SOURCE: Early Vital Records of Essex County, Massachusetts to 1850 for Danvers.) Parents: Rev. Joseph Warren EATON and Sarah Emeline COLBY.


Sarah EATON was born on 29 MAY 1764 in Meredith, Belknap County, New Hampshire. (SOURCE: FHL Film: 1000500; Index to births, early to 1900 New Hampshire. Registrar of Vital Statistics.) (BOOK SOURCE: "The Colby Family in Early America" by Frederick Lewis Weis, Caledonia, The Colonial Press, pub 1970.) Parents: Jacob EATON and Esther COLBY.


Sarah Oliver EATON was born on 5 JUL 1849 in Danvers, Essex County, Massachusetts. (SOURCE: Early Vital Records of Essex County, Massachusetts to 1850 for Danvers.) Parents: Rev. Joseph Warren EATON and Sarah Emeline COLBY.


Tamar EATON was born on 11 MAR 1767 in Meredith, Belknap County, New Hampshire. (SOURCE: FHL Film: 1000500; Index to births, early to 1900 New Hampshire. Registrar of Vital Statistics.) (BOOK SOURCE: "The Colby Family in Early America" by Frederick Lewis Weis, Caledonia, The Colonial Press, pub 1970.) Parents: Jacob EATON and Esther COLBY.


William Colby EATON was born on 13 JAN 1868 in Portland, Cumberland County, Maine. He appeared in the census on 2 JUN 1880 in Portland, Cumberland County, Maine. (living at home with and mother.) He appeared in the census on 4 JUN 1900 in Portland, Cumberland County, Maine. (family living with his parents, Woodman Eaton.)

WILLIAM COLBY EATON-The conditions of life in New England, not less than the sturdy stock which originally peopled it, tend to produce many-sided, capable men, men who exemplify the idea conveyed by the term, "self-made man," men whose industry and close application have brought to them success and won them the confidence and esteem of their fellow- citizens. Such a man is William Colby Eaton, the well known and successful attorney of Portland, Maine, who throughout his life has made that city at once his home and the scene of his many activities, and who today enjoys a reputation unsurpassed as a capable attorney, who preserves in his conduct the highest ideals of the bar and a citizen of public spirit. He is a grand-son of Stephen W. Eaton, a native of Maine, and through him, is descended from a long line of worthy ancestors. The founder of the Eaton family in this country, where various of its members have played most distinguished parts in the affairs of their several communities, must have occurred at least as early as 1639.

The immigrant ancestor was John Eaton, who left a record which bears eloquent testimony to his possession of many sterling virtues, great courage and an unusual degree of intelligence. He came to this country with his wife, Anne Eaton, and their six children, but left no known record of the date or place of their arrival or of the vessel in which they came. However, his name appears on the proprietors books of Salisbury, Massachusetts, in the winter of 1639-40. Although there is no way of tracing directly his ancestry in the Old World, there can be very little doubt at least of the fact that he came from England, as his name and all his associations were characteristically of that people. He received a number of grants of land, one of which was a lot in Salisbury, near the present town office, and another upon which he appears to have dwelt was near the Great Neck Bridge on the Beach Road. This homestead has never passed out of the hands of the Eaton family, and is at present the possession of seven sisters, who together own it in equal and undivided shares. It is known in the community as "Brookside Farm." His first wife, Anne, died on February 5, 1660, according to an old record, and on November 20, 1661, he married a Mrs. Phebe Dow. From this worthy progenitor the line may be traced through John (2), Joseph, John (3), Wyman, John (4), Tristran, to Stephen W. Eaton, the grandfather of Mr. Eaton already referred to.

Stephen W. Eaton, son of Tristran and Betsey (Woodman) Eaton, was born at Buxton, Maine. The extraordinarily prominent part played by him in the development of the transportation systems of Maine was introduced and made possible as it were by the fact that his first employment was with the Cumberland and Oxford Canal Company, which turned his attention and thoughts to the problems which afterwards so entirely engrossed them. He remained with this company for a period, and was then engaged as an engineer in making the first survey of the line of the Atlantic & St. Lawrence Railroad, which has since become an integral part of the Grand Trunk System. When the road was finally completed he remained with it, taking for a time the office of freight agent. This position, however, he resigned in 1853 in order to take one of a similar character with the Michigan Central Railroad. He returned, however, to Maine, after a short period, where he became railroad superintendent at Leeds and Farmington. His next position was that of second lieutenant of the Androscoggin Railroad, and still later he became the first superintendent of the York & Cumberland Road. This was the last of the railroad offices held by him, as he withdrew about that time from railroading and settled permanently in Portland, where he engaged in commercial business on a large scale. He was for many years one of the most successful and prominent merchants of that city and was greatly esteemed by his fellow-citizens. In politics Stephen W. Eaton was a Democrat, and as that party was then dominant in the State he held a number of public offices. He was surveyor of the port of Portland during the administration of President Taylor, serving under Collector Jewett. He was a prominent Free Mason and was affiliated with many Masonic bodies in that part of the State. In the year 1854, however, he removed from Portland on account of the ill health of his family, and made his home in Gorham, though in spite of this fact he still attended to his business in the city. His death occurred at the age of seventy-one in Gorham, in 1876. Stephen W. Eaton married Miranda B. Knox, a native of Portland, a daughter of ____ Knox, who was a descendant of General Knox and had been born at Buxton. They were the parents of eight children, as follows: Stephen M., Samuel K., George R., Minnie, Charles P., Woodman S., Howard E., and Edward.

Woodman Stephen Eaton was born in Portland, October 16, 1846, and died in that city, August 28, 1905. He studied at a private school in Portland for a number of years, and later attended Gorham Academy. At the age of seventeen years he became an office assistant in the employ of the Berlin Mills Company at Berlin, New Hampshire. He spent some time afterwards at Lewiston, where he had a position with the freight department of the Androscoggin Railroad, a position which undoubtedly stimulated his interest in the question of railroads and may even have been responsible for his long and close association with railroading in that part of the country. However, his career in business life was cut short by his being appointed to a position in the office of the provost marshal at New Orleans, to which place he went and there discharged his duties until the close of the Civil War. Upon returning to Maine, however, he secured a position with the Androscoggin Railroad Company, where he worked for about a year as a freight checker. This he left to take a position as freight cashier of the Portland, Saco & Portsmouth Railroad, and remained with this company from 1867 to 1875. He was then appointed to the position of freight agent of the Eastern Railroad, and in 1882 the office of freight agent of the Maine Central Railroad was added to the other. He was appointed general freight agent of the Maine Central Railroad in 1885,remaining in this most responsible position for about twelve years. During the time that he served in this capacity, the railroad enjoyed an extremely rapid growth and his ability to handle the great business gave evidence of how great was the executive ability and adaptability which he possessed. Mr. Eaton, Sr., was a Congregationalist in his belief and attended the High Street Church of this denomination, giving liberally in support of its work. He was a Republican in politics, but though he gave active assistance to the party he never held public office of any kind and indeed eschewed rather than sought distinction of this kind. Like his father before him, he was extremely prominent in the Masonic order, in which he reached the thirty-second degree, and he was affiliated with the following Masonic bodies: Ancient landmark Lodge, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons; Mount Vernon Chapter, Royal Arch Masons; Portland Commandery, Knights Templar, of which he was past commander; Kora Temple, Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine; and the Maine Consistory, Sovereign Princes of the Royal Secret. He was also a member of the Grand Commandery of Maine, in which he held the rank of sword bearer. Besides the Masonic bodies, Mr. Eaton, Sr., was a member of Legonier Lodge, Independend Order of Odd Fellows; the Eastern Star Encampment, Patriarchs Militant; the Bramhall League and the Cumberland, Portland and Country clubs. He married, October 16, 1866, Judith Annette Colby, of Gorham, Maine, a daughter of the Rev. Joseph and Almeda (Bailard) Colby. They were the parents of four children, as follows: William Colby, with whose career this sketch is particularly concerned; Edward S., who died in 1895, aged twenty-four years; Harry Woodman; and Gertrude May, who died in infancy.

Born January 13, 1868, in the city of Portland, William Colby Eaton received his education in the local schools of his native city. He graduated from the High School there in 1886 and then attended the academic course at Harvard University. From this he was graduated with the class of 1891 with the degree of Bachelor of Arts. He then entered the law school in connection with the same university, and also read law in the office of Charles F. Libby, Esquire. In the year 1894 he was admitted to the bar of Cumberland county, Maine, and at once opened an office at No. 97 Exchange street in that city. Here he engaged in a general legal practice in which he met with a high degree of success until at the present time he is regarded as one of the leaders of the Portland bar. For four years he held a commission as lieutenant-colonel on the staff of the governor, acting as aide-de-camp to that official. In 1901 and 1902 he was a member of the City Council from Ward seven, and in 1903 he was appointed assistant county attorney, holding that position in that and the following year. In 1905 he became county attorney and discharged the duties of this highly responsible post in that year and the next and also in 1909 and 1910. For a number of generations the members of the Eaton family have been prominent in Free Masonry and William Colby Eaton is no exception to this rule. He has attained the thirty-second degree in that order and is affiliated with Ancient Landmark Lodge, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons; Mount Vernon Chapter, Royal Arch Masons; Portland Commandery, Knights Templar; and Maine Consistory, Sovereign Princes of the Royal Secret. He is also a member of the local lodge of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, of the Cumberland, Portland, Athletic, Country and Lincoln clubs. Mr. Eaton is extremely fond of golf and finds his recreation in that delightful sport.

William Colby Eaton was united in marriage, May 16, 1895, at Portland, with Marion Durant Dow, a daughter of Frederick and Julia (Hammond) Dow, old and highly regarded residents of Portland. Mr. and Mrs. Eaton are the parents of one child, a daughter, Annette Hamrnond, born March 13, 1897, and now in Wellesley, taking a special course at the Dana Hall Branch in music.

About the learned professions generally, and especially that of the law, there has grown up a great body of tradition, an atmosphere of them, it might be said, the intensity and mass of which it is very difficult to imagine for those who have never entered it. The law is the heir of many ages, not merely in its substance, its proper matter. but in a myriad of connotations and associations involving all those who from time immemorial have dwelt with and in it; the great men who have made and adapted it, the learned who have interpreted and practiced it, the multitude who have been protected and, alas, victimized by it. From each and all it has gained its wisdom or wit, its eloquence or its tale of human feeling to point a moral, until by a sort of process of natural selection there has risen a sort of system of ideals and standards, lofty in themselves, and a spur to the high-minded, a check to the unscrupulous, which no one may disregard. The bench and bar in America may certainly point with pride to the manner in which their members have maintained the splendid traditions of the profession, yes, and added their own, no inconsiderable quota, to the ideals of a future time. Among those who may be prominently mentioned as having ably maintained these legal traditions in the day and generation of the State of Maine is Mr. Eaton, of Portland, whose career in the practice of his profession is worthy of remark.

Parents: Woodman Stephen EATON and Judith Annette COLBY.

Spouse: Marion Durant DOW. William Colby EATON and Marion Durant DOW were married on 16 MAY 1895 in Portland, Cumberland County, Maine. Children were: Annette Hammond EATON.


Woodman Stephen EATON was born on 16 OCT 1846 in Portland, Cumberland County, Maine. He appeared in the census on 2 JUN 1880 in Portland, Cumberland County, Maine. He appeared in the census on 4 JUN 1900 in Portland, Cumberland County, Maine. He died on 28 AUG 1905 at Portland, Cumberland County, Maine.
Woodman S. Eaton, who has been general freight agent of the Maine Central Railroad since 1885, was born in Portland, October 16, 1846, son of Stephen W. and Miranda (Knox) Eaton. He is of an old and respected Colonial family, whose progenitor, John Eaton, with his wife Anna and six children, came from England to this country more than two hundred and fifty years ago. They were residents of Salisbury, Mass., in 1640. John Eaton, of a later generation, great- grandfather of Woodman S., was born in Seabrook, N.H., in 1748, and was one of the pioneer settlers of Buxton, Me. He was the father of Tristram Eaton, who was born in Buxton, and spent the most of his days there, engaged in farming.

Stephen W. Eaton, son of Tristram, was born in Buxton, but spent the greater part of his active life in Portland, engaged first in railroading, later in mercantile business. His first work in connection with the traveling public was in the employ of the Cumberland & Oxford Canal Company; and he was next engaged as one of the engineers in the survey of the Atlantic & St. Lawrence Railroad (now the Grand Trunk), filling the office of freight agent when the road was completed. This office he resigned in 1853 to accept a position on the Michigan Central Railroad. Returning East after a short time, he was employed as railroad superintendent at Leeds and Farmington, next filling the office of second superintendent of the Androscoggin Railroad; and later he was first superintendent of the York & Cumberland. This was the last railroad office held by him, his next business venture being in the mercantile line; and for many years his name was on the list of prominent merchants of Portland.

In politics he was affiliated with the Democratic party, and was Surveyor of the port of Portland during the administration of President Taylor, serving under Collector Jewett. He was a member of the Masonic fraternity, prominent' in the councils of the Order. Mr. Stephen W. Eaton changed his residence from Portland to Gorham in 1854 on account of ill health in the family, though still attending to his business in the city; and he died in Gorham in 1876 at the age of seventy-one. His wife, Miranda Knox, was a member of an old Buxton family, her father also having been born in that town.

Woodman S. Eaton was the sixth in a family of eight children born to Mr. and Mrs. Stephen W. Eaton. He made his first acquaintance with books at a private school in Portland, and later attended the Gorham Academy, a noted school at that time. He went to work in 1863, when seventeen years of age, entering the employ of the Berlin Mills Company at Berlin, N.H., as an office assistant. He afterward spent some time in Lewiston, in the freight department of the Androscoggin Railroad, where he got his first idea of railroad work, and was next called to the South, filling a position in the office of the Provost Marshal in New Orleans till the close of the war. Returning to Portland, he was again employed by the Androscoggin Railroad Company, for whom he worked a year as freight checker. He then obtained a position as freight cashier for the Portland, Saco & Portsmouth Railroad, remaining from 1867 to 1875. In the latter year he was made freight agent of the Eastern Railroad, and in 1882 assumed the greater responsibilities of freight agent of both Eastern and Maine Central. Mr. Eaton has been general freight agent of the Maine Central Railroad since 1885, and during the past decade the road has had its greatest growth. Consequently his care and responsibility are yearly increasing. He has now in his office in Portland eleven clerks, and the admirable manner in which the great freight traffic of the road is handled proves Mr. Eaton to be a man of exceptional ability.

October 16, 1867, Mr. Eaton was united in marriage with Judith Annette Colby, of Gorham, daughter of the Rev. Joseph Colby, a prominent clergyman of the Methodist Episcopal church. Of the children born to Mr. and Mrs. Eaton two are now living - William Colby and Edward Stephen. The former, who is a practicing attorney in. Portland, married Miss Marion Durant Dow, daughter of Colonel Fred N. Dow and grand-daughter of General Neal Dow. Edward Stephen Eaton is in the general freight office of the Maine Central Railroad, associated with his father.

Mr. Eaton is a prominent Mason, belonging to Ancient Landmark Lodge, A. F. & A. M., of Portland; Mount Vernon Chapter; Portland Commandery, Knights Templars; and the Consistory, having passed the thirty-two degrees. He is also a member of Ligonia Lodge, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and Eastern Star Encampment, and belongs to the Cumberland and Portland Clubs, the Country Club, and the Bramhall League. He attends the High Street Congregational Church, and contributes liberally to its support. The Eaton residence, a very handsome and comfortable dwelling, is at 754 Congress Street.

Spouse: Judith Annette COLBY. Woodman Stephen EATON and Judith Annette COLBY were married on 16 OCT 1866 in Maine. Children were: William Colby EATON, Edward S. EATON, Harry Woodman EATON, Gertrude May EATON.

Back       Next