Wilbur E. Eastman

Wilbur B. Eastman, a well known farmer of the Hutchinson neighborhood in Reno township this county, is a native of Vermont who was born in the town of Underhill in that state in October 1851, son of Amos and Julia Crissy Eastman, both natives of the Green Mountain state, farming people and earnest members of the Congregational church, to whom were born five children of whom the subject of this biographical sketch, the last in order of birth is the only survivor, the others having been as follow: Elizabeth who married Doctor Kingsbury and died in Holbrook Massachusetts, George who died at his home in this county in 1883, Albert a physician who died in Massachusetts in 1885 and Jennie who died unmarried in Vermont. The mother of the above named children died when her last born was two years old and Amos Eastman then married secondly Sophronia Crissy his deceased wife's half sister who is still living and to this second union were born five children all of whom are still living

 Wilbur B. Eastman received his elementary education in the public schools of his home in Vermont supplementing the same by a three years course in an academy there and at the age of eighteen went to Fond du Lac Wisconsin where for some time he was engaged in canvassing under the direction of his elder brother George. He then returned East and for four years was engaged as a salesman at Lynn Massachusetts. While living there in 1874 he married Carrie Choate who was born there and shortly afterward went to Chicago where he engaged in the mercantile business in partnership with his brother George, the firm doing a fine business.

 In 1876 Mr. Eastman's wife died leaving one child, a daughter Grace, who is now a well known teacher in the schools of Hutchinson this county. In 1882 George Eastman's health failed and he and his family left Chicago and came to this county settling on a farm in Reno township southwest of Hutchinson where Mr. Eastman sought recuperation in a change of occupation and climate. In this expectation he was disappointed however his health gradually continuing to fail and the next year in 1883 Wilbur B Eastman sold the store in Chicago and came to this county in order to be of assistance to his invalid brother. George Eastman died soon thereafter and his brother took charge of the farm of one hundred and forty acres on behalf of his widow. In 1884 he erected a new house on the farm and gradually brought the place up to a high state of cultivation continuing to make his home there. In 1905 Mr. Eastman married his deceased brother's widow who was born Louisa Foster at Whitehouse, Ohio and who by her first marriage is the mother of two children Byron A, a well known farmer of this county at present the trustee of Reno township and Mrs. Linnie Moore who lives on a farm adjoining the Eastman place in Reno township. Mr. and Mrs. Eastman are members of the Presbyterian Church and for years have been regarded as among the leaders in all good works in their neighborhood They have a very pleasant home on their well kept farm and live in comfort.

Mr. Eastman is a Republican and ever since coming to Reno county has displayed his interest in political affairs. In 1890 he was elected trustee of Reno township and performed excellent service in that capacity. He has even taken a warm interest in educational affairs and for fourteen years served as school director in his district in many ways laboring to advance the standards of education thereabout.

Ploughe, Sheridan. History of Reno County, Kansas; Its People, Industries and Institutions,. Indianapolis, IN: B.F. Bowen &, 1917. Print.

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Lot 193