Biography of William A. Eastman

William A. Eastman is a man who has demonstrated to all who will see that where there is a will there is a way. He now lives five miles west from Nez Perce where he has a fine farm of one quarter section, well improved, owns considerable stock, does a general farming business and is prospered. In contrast to this it is interesting to note that when Mr. Eastman came to this reservation country, he had sixty cents in his pocket, which was his total cash capital, besides which he owed sixty dollars for a horse recently purchased. He threw up a rough log cabin for his family and covered it with sacks for a shelter, his family consisting of wife and one baby. Then he determined to see what could be done and the excellent showing mentioned above is the result of the labors of himself and his worthy wife.

William A. Eastman was born in Jones County, Iowa, on October 4, 1865, being the son of Daniel and Adelaide (Nottingham) Eastman, natives of Michigan and Illinois, respectively. The father was born in Kalamazoo, in 1840, enlisted in the Civil war but was discharged before service and died in 1868. The mother of our subject was born in 1844 an d died on October 9, 1901. Our subject remained at home, assisting in the support of the family and attending school until thirteen. The family, the mother having married again, removed to Republic County, Kansas, and William started for himself there. He was in the implement business for two years in Hardy. Nebraska, and in the spring of 1895 he came west to Moscow and upon the opening of the reservation he selected his present place.

On May 7, 1893, at Republic, Kansas, Mr. Eastman married Miss Mabel, daughter of Oscar and Lelia (Hazelton) Ware, natives of Michigan. The father was a carpenter and a soldier in the Civil war. Mrs. Eastman was born in Michigan in 1872 and graduated from the Kansas normal school and for years devoted herself to teaching. She taught the first school in the district where they live now. She has one brother and six sisters, Walter, Alma McArthur, .Minnie Bruce, Essie Eisner, Stella, Lora, Ruth. Mr. Eastman has one sister, Mary, deceased, and three half brothers, Walter, Eli and Arthur. Mr. and Mrs. Eastman have three children, Clarence. Elwyn and Verne H.

Mr. Eastman is a member of the W. of W. and I. O. O. F., and he and his wife belong to the Christian Church. In politics he is a Democrat and active for general progress. He is a member of the school board and the district is a prosperous one. Mr. Eastman has fine buildings and good improvements on his place. On October 4, 1902, Mr. Eastman purchased eighty acres adjoining the home farm on the north.

Back to: Nez Perce Biographies

Source: An Illustrated History of Northern Idaho, Embracing Nez Perce, Idaho, Latah, Kootenai and Shoshone Counties, Western Historical Publishing Company, 1903

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