Senator Enoch W. Eastman View All Years

Senator Underwood presented the following resolution, prefaced by remarks as follows:

MR. PRESIDENT—I desire to offer a resolution. And before presenting the same wish to give a brief sketch (history) of Enoch W. Eastman. He was born in the town of Deerfield, New Hampshire, April 15, 1810. His father, living on a farm, and the owner of a mill, his time was devoted to hard labor, except about three months of schooling in the winter time each year, until he reached manhood. After his majority he taught school and took an academic course. Commenced the study of law when about twenty-nine years of age; studied five years, and was admitted to the bar in 1844. Married soon after, and moved to Burlington, Iowa, in which place he lived until 1847, when he moved to Oskaloosa, where he lived and practiced his·profession. Moved to Hardin county (Eldora) in 1857. Then he often said he met with a change of heart, and hewed his way out of the “Democratic party with a broad ax, and took more enlarged views of the duties of man to man and to the nation.” He lived in Eldora, Hardin county, until his death, January 9, 1885.

I have known Hon. E. W. Eastman intimately since 1859. His·friends were and are my friends. Religiously he was a Unitarian; but as there was no society of his choice in Eldora he attended the Congregational Church, and labored for its growth and prosperity; he was an active member in all of its branches. Has been married twice one of his wives living. Has five children three daughters, all married; two sons, unmarried.

As a citizen in his place, always looking to the best interests of the community in which he lived; steadily holding to what he deemed to be right; expressing his opinion fully on all subjects of interest, and illustrating his subject from and “nailing with scripture” his arguments. For the young a safe and good advisor. Full of pithy sayings; he was like Caesar said of Cassius:

“He reads much;

He is a great observer.

He looks quite through the deeds of men.”

In person, tall and straight. Was not a handsome man; but a harmony of features and actions, that on acquaintance, became pleasing. Quaint in style a thorough Yankee. Thoroughly acquainted with the history of the nation, and in the unwritten history of Iowa he had no equal. He was elected in 1863 as Lieutenant Governor, and in 1864 presided over the Senate, and upon taking the chair expressed, in an emphatic manner, the position every American citizen should take in the struggle then pending. He was elected to this Senate in 1883, one-half of which term he had served. He was a grand old man, gone down to his grave with ripe honors, and left his name immortal by words of his inscribed on the monument at Washington: “Iowa, the affections of her people, like the rivers of her borders, flow to an inseparable union.”

Senators, I leave his political and legislative history in your hands, and would now respectfully submit these resolutions for your consideration:

Resolved, That earnestly desiring to show every mark of respect to the memory of Hon. E. W. Eastman, late member of the Senate of 1884, from the Thirty-second district composed of Hardin and Grundy counties, we do now suspend the regular business of the Senate, that opportunity be given his friends and associates of this Senate, and also those of the Senate of 1884, to pay fitting tribute to his worth as a citizen and a law maker.

Resolved, That in his death the State loses a worthy citizen and a useful and earnest legislator, who faithfully and conscientiously performed his every duty, and whose private life by its purity, well qualified him for positions of honor and trust.

Resolved, That these resolutions be entered upon the records of this Senate, and that the Secretary forward a copy thereof to the family of the deceased Senator, Hon. E. W. Eastman.

Resolved, That as a further mark of respect, this Senate do now adjourn.