Person:William Eaton (27)

[no date] Flour Mill Burned. About three o'clock Sunday morning the flouring mill of William Eaton, on Mill St., was discovered to be on fire. The fire company responded promptly to the alarm but when the engine arrived the mill was ablaze from cellar to roof, and nothing could be done but to prevent the fire from spreading. At first it seemed impossible to save any of the buildings between the mill and the corner of Main, the high wind carrying a shower of sparks toward the north and north-west. Mr. Eaton's dwelling and John French's blacksmith shop both caught fire, but with hard work and persistent efforts were saved. The heat was intense causing much difficulty in fighting the fire. Hay in the hotel barn and some shavinigs in the hotel woodshed were ignited by sparks but were soon put out, and had it not been for a blanket of snow on the roofs, it is likely that most of the buildings on W. Main St. would have been destroyed. Mr. Eaton's loss on his mill is $12,000, insured for half, and his loss on flour and grain, about $1,500. Mr. French's shop will require new siding and roof; his loss is covered by insurance. The loss is a great one for Mr. Eaton and also for the town, and it is hoped that he will rebuild in the near future. (end)

William possibly married Rebecca Jackson, daughter of Thomas Jackson in 1866.

1. ↑ Census.
2. ↑ 1850 US Census Ontario, Wayne, New York.