Lewis Eaton
Encyclopedia
Lewis Eaton was a United States Congressman from New York.
, holding office from March 4, 1823, to March 3, 1825. Eaton voted in favor of the Tariff of 1824
and took part in the House caucus that nominated William Crawford
for President.
in the hamlet of Eaton (sometimes spelled Eatons or Eaton's) Corners. He was a member of the New York State Senate
(3rd D.) from 1829 to 1832. In addition, he was an active militia officer and attained the rank of Brigadier General.
, where he was postmaster and president of the Lockport Bank, also serving as a member of the New York Bank Commission from 1832 to 1838. In the late 1830s he relocated to the village of Black Rock (now part of Buffalo
), where he resumed farming, was a clerk in the federal revenue collection office for the Niagara district, became a lumber dealer and was President of the City Bank of Buffalo. In the early 1840s he served as a Special Agent of the United States Post Office Department
, ensuring that postmasters and mail carriers did not use the service for illegal purposes.
.
Early life
Eaton became a farmer, also becoming active in politics, including serving as Duanesburg Town Supervisor from 1819 to 1820. From 1821 to 1822 Eaton served as Schenectady County Sheriff.Congressional Service
Eaton was elected as a Crawford Democratic-Republican to the 18th United States Congress18th United States Congress
The Eighteenth United States Congress was a meeting of the legislative branch of the United States federal government, consisting of the United States Senate and the United States House of Representatives. It met in Washington, D.C. from March 4, 1823 to March 3, 1825, during the seventh and eighth...
, holding office from March 4, 1823, to March 3, 1825. Eaton voted in favor of the Tariff of 1824
Tariff of 1824
The Tariff of 1824 , was a protective tariff in the United States designed to protect American industry in the face of cheaper British commodities, especially iron products, wool and cotton textiles, and agricultural goods...
and took part in the House caucus that nominated William Crawford
William H. Crawford
William Harris Crawford was an American politician and judge during the early 19th century. He served as United States Secretary of War from 1815 to 1816 and United States Secretary of the Treasury from 1816 to 1825, and was a candidate for President of the United States in 1824.-Political...
for President.
Post Congressional service
After leaving the House Eaton returned to his farm, also holding the position of postmasterPostmaster
A postmaster is the head of an individual post office. Postmistress is not used anymore in the United States, as the "master" component of the word refers to a person of authority and has no gender quality...
in the hamlet of Eaton (sometimes spelled Eatons or Eaton's) Corners. He was a member of the New York State Senate
New York State Senate
The New York State Senate is one of two houses in the New York State Legislature and has members each elected to two-year terms. There are no limits on the number of terms one may serve...
(3rd D.) from 1829 to 1832. In addition, he was an active militia officer and attained the rank of Brigadier General.
Move to Western New York
In the mid 1830s Eaton moved to Lockport, New YorkLockport
- Places :In Canada:* Lockport, Manitoba* Lockeport, Nova ScotiaIn the United States of America:* Lockport, Illinois* Lockport, Indiana* Lockport, Kentucky in Henry County, Kentucky* Lockport, Louisiana* Lockport , New York...
, where he was postmaster and president of the Lockport Bank, also serving as a member of the New York Bank Commission from 1832 to 1838. In the late 1830s he relocated to the village of Black Rock (now part of Buffalo
Buffalo, New York
Buffalo is the second most populous city in the state of New York, after New York City. Located in Western New York on the eastern shores of Lake Erie and at the head of the Niagara River across from Fort Erie, Ontario, Buffalo is the seat of Erie County and the principal city of the...
), where he resumed farming, was a clerk in the federal revenue collection office for the Niagara district, became a lumber dealer and was President of the City Bank of Buffalo. In the early 1840s he served as a Special Agent of the United States Post Office Department
United States Post Office Department
The Post Office Department was the name of the United States Postal Service when it was a Cabinet department. It was headed by the Postmaster General....
, ensuring that postmasters and mail carriers did not use the service for illegal purposes.
Career in Agriculture
Eaton was active in several agricultural societies and farming organizations, including being a founder and President of the Buffalo Horticultural Society. Agricultural journals and fair records from the 1820s to the 1850s are replete with entries on his prize winning asparagus, pears, apples, poultry and other farm products, as well as notations on the prizes his wife won for her peonies and other floral arrangements.Death and interment
Congressman Eaton died in Buffalo on August 22, 1857. He was originally interred at Black Rock Burial Ground, and most of the remains there, including Eaton's, were later moved to Buffalo's Forest Lawn CemeteryForest Lawn Cemetery, Buffalo
Forest Lawn Cemetery in Buffalo, New York was founded in 1849 by Charles E. Clark. It covers over 250 acres and over 152,000 are buried there. Notable graves include U.S. President Millard Fillmore, singer Rick James, and inventor Lawrence Dale Bell...
.
External links
- Find A Grave page, Lewis Eaton