HORACE D. EATON
Dies from a Shock of Paralysis Received While on the Hillside Alone
Horace L. Eaton, the son of Steadman and Fannie Hall Eaton, was born at Dodges Creek, N. Y., Aug. 8, 1835, and died at Alfred Station, June 27, 1909, in his 74th year.
When a small boy, his people moved to Phillips Creek and later to Independence, and from there to what is known as the Eaton farm, which joins the State farm, not far from Alfred Station.
He married Miss Sarah M. Thomas June 22, 1861, just forty-eight years to a day before he was found in that helpless condition and brought to his home five days before his death. Mr. and Mrs. Eaton had no children. Mrs. Eaton's grand niece has lived with them for the past three years.
Many years ago Mr. Eaton was sick a year with nervous prostration, but since that time has usually been well, and was at work on his farm when stricken down. When a young man he learned the carpenter's trade, but when his time of apprenticeship had expired, he gave it up and engaged in mason work, which he followed the rest of his life. He superintended the mason work of the basement of the S. D. B. Church at Hornell in 1901-2, where the writer became better acquainted with him.
About three years after Mr. and Mrs. Eaton were married, he attended evangelistic meetings at Alfred when Elder Varnum Hull was assisting his brother, Pastor Nathan V. Hull. Mr. Eaton became interested, was baptized and united with the church. Whether his name is still on the roll or not we are uninformed.
Monday, June 21, he left his home to do some work on his farm which lies on the east side of the railroad. He did not return at night. Mrs. Eaton's niece was sick, and when Mrs. Eaton became alarmed at his unusual delay, it was some time before she could get to a neighbor to obtain help for a_ search, but eleven men soon started out with lanterns and search was continued until morning, without finding him, when Frank Sisson was telephoned to bring his dogs, and by their assistance he was soon found. He had probably had a paraletic stroke, had lost the use of one side and fallen, had tried to get up as the ground indicated, and, as he renumbered, but werried with fruitless efforts had become unconscious or fallen asleep and did not hear or see the searchers with their lanterns, though they had been near him in the night. Some of them saw a stray bear, which reared up on his hind feet as he met them. It had also been seen by Mr. Eaton, who told about it the next day.
When found he was awakened and knew his neighbors, who brought him home. He was conscious by spells but failed until the following Sunday morning about one o'clock, when the end came.
Mr. Eaton was a kind and genial neighbor and friend, a loving husband and companion who will be missed not only in the bereaved home, but in the community.
