sixty-sixth annual encampment

MAJOR A. S. EATON

Major A. S. Eaton, Past Department Commander of Wisconsin G. A. R,, died at Superior, Feb. 16, 1932. He was one of Wiscon­sin's best  known War Vets. At the time of his death, he was the Department Chaplain of Wisconsin. He served in Company H, 2d New Hampshire Volunteers. He left a widow who died February 22. Major Eaton was one of the best known military men in the state of Wisconsin. Wounded and left for dead on the battle field, taken to a hospital where he lay for a month or more and returned home to find that a funeral service had been held in testimony of the intense love of his fellow citizens.

Major Eaton became ill late in January, 1932, and was confined in his home in Superior, Wisconsin, for a short time; his condition becoming more serious, he was removed to St. Mary's Hospital, where up to the last three or four days he recognized and spoke to friends and relatives, then lapsed into a peaceful coma and sleep from which he did not wake.

Among the important battles in which Comrade Eaton took part were Fort Royal, Petersburg, James Island and Fredricksburg. Hold­ing rank of Captain he was mustered out of the service April 14, 1866. After the war Comrade Eaton settled in Black River Falls, Greenwood, Wisconsin, where he conducted a hardware business. Later, for many years, he carried on a real estate and insurance business in Superior, Wisconsin, where he also held a high position among Masons, being Commander of Superior Commandery No. 25 of Knights Templars in 1908 and an active member since that time.

Comrade Eaton seemed to be perfectly at home in everything that he undertook to do. As Commander of Department of Wisconsin G. A. R. we all became aware of the fact that he was posted on all the requirements of the office. As Chaplain, all who ever heard him offer prayer, including those at the Throne of Grace must have been charmed by the logic, the force, and the beauty of his expres­sion. When as State Commander, he was presented with flowers in the presence of hundreds of people, he accepted them because they came not to him alone, but in honor of the office which he held for a brief period of time; "he knew that many beautiful flowers bloomed, withered, and died, unseen and unsung in out-of-the-way places, but not these the beauty and fragrance of these coupled with the beauty, loyalty, and generosity of the donor was a bene­diction to all present."

The funeral services of Major A. S. Eaton were held Friday, February 19th, at 2:30 P. M. at the Masonic Temple where the body lay in state until the officers of Superior Commandery took charge of Masonic services. Full military rites were accorded at the grave.

We will meet, but we will miss him

When our Campfire songs are sung

 No more with clasp of hand address him

Major, you are lookingyoung.

But somewhere in the Camps eternal,

Far removed from war and strife

He's growing  young   'mong  things  supernal

In that more abundant life.

Respectfully submitted,

 george H. pounder

 geo. L. thomas

 hosea W. rood

Committee

Tribute to Alfred S. Eaton

Past Department Commander of the Grand Army of the Republic

The last call has sounded, and he was found ready

To join the Grand Army, that had gone before.

The passing of Comrade A.S. Eaton marks the death of one more of the Boys in Blue, who fought for the preservation of the Union.  Major Eaton as he was called, was one of the best known and loved "Old Soldiers" in all Wisconsin.  For nearly a century he lived to watch this Country of ours in its most interesting and tempestuous periods and fought shoulder to shoulder in the Civil War with the men who were striving to keep this Union together.  It is sad to see these dear Comrades depart one by one, they are the last living links with a glorious era in the nation’s history, an era that produced Abraham Lincoln.  What a life of service, a life well spent.

Alfred Surraneous Eaton was born August 13, 1840, in the little hamlet of Newbury, New Hampshire, a twin brother to Edwin Eaton.  Raised on a little farm, he grew to young manhood with the boys and girls of his neighborhood, the foundation of his education was in the far famed little red schoolhouse around the corner.  At the age of 17 years he commenced teaching school for a livelihood, which profession he followed for three years.  It was then that the tocsin of war was sounded in our land and the Great Emancipator called for 75,000 men.  Major Eaton did not wait for a second call, but went directly to the recruiting station, and placed his name on the enrolling sheet, April 30, 1861, and joined Company 8, 2^nd New Hampshire volunteers for 90 days.  When three months expired he re-enlisted in Company H, 10^th New Hampshire volunteer infantry.  He passed through the grades of promotion up to the rank of 1^st Lieutenant.  He served in a number of major engagements the battle of Fredericksburg, Lookout Mountain and Vicksburg, and he suffered a major wound in his left foot.  He met and talked with President Lincoln while stationed at Farmouth, Va.

He was discharged April 24, 1866, and on October 12 1868, he was married to Emeline A. Brown of Black Rivers Falls, Wisconsin.  Three children were born to them.  One passed away at the age of 3 ½ years, and two daughter survive.  Mrs. Genevieve Lounsbury, Superior, and Mrs. Viola Jones, Black River Falls, Wisconsin.   He had an undying love for the Grand Army of the Republic.  June 13, 1923 at Oshkosh, he was elected Department Commander of the G.A.R. and for a number of years he was Adjutant and Quartermaster of Alonzo Palmer Post 170, Superior, and Department Chaplain for three years, and was often called upon to act as Installing Officer.  This he did without the use of a Ritual.  He was ever on the alert to advance the interest of the W.R.C. and sounded the first note that Superior should have a Department President.  Confined to his home for several weeks, gradually failing, he was removed to St. Mary’s Hospital, and passed away at early dawn February 10, 1932, at the age of 91 years, 7 months, 27 days.  He was a great admirer of Abraham Lincoln, and often called upon to give the Gettysburg Address to the children and on Memorial Day at the Soldiers Circle at the cemetery, and it is coincidental that he was laid to rest on Lincoln’s birthday, February 12.

Sleep, Comrade, sleep and take your rest

The battles o’er and on your breast

The Flag you loved lies folded.

His good wife survived him only by 12 days, she was nearly 83 years of age when she passed away on February 22, Washington’s birthday.  While relatives and friends knew her condition was precarious after the death of her husband, yet it was not anticipated that she would succumb so soon after him.  Realizing her passing was but a matter of a few hours, she conversed with her family and friends.  Her life soon ebbed away.  She was laid to rest beside her soldier husband.

                                                                        ANNA F. HUOT

                                                            Past Department President 1926-1927

Source:  1932 minutes of Department Of Wisconsin W.R.C.

[Biography of A. S. Eaton]

Contributors

Steve Healy (family member), Marsha Hosfeld, Tom Jones, Janet Schwarze, Crystal Wendt, Al Wessel and the Clark Co., WI History Buffs.