Henry James Eaton
Henry James Eaton was the son of James and Elizabeth (Caulkins) Eaton. He was born October 25, 1828, in Berlin Township, Delaware County, Ohio. James Eaton was for many years surveyor of Delaware County and the early records of the county are replete with his doings. He was very careful and particular about his surveys and marking his corners, and his son, the subject of this sketch, must have inherited much of his father's carefulness and particularity. The family lived on a farm near Cheshire, in Berlin Township, at the date of the son's birth. Henry J. Eaton received bis early education in the public schools of his native township. The family removed to Delaware in the year 1844, and Henry J. soon entered the Ohio Wesleyan University, from which he graduated in the year 1849. He studied law with Thomas W. Powell and was admitted to the Bar in the year 1853. He began the practice in the city of Delaware and soon formed a partnership with Colonel William P. Reid, for the practice of law, which continued until the year 1866, when Mr. Eaton, owing to failing health was obliged to withdraw from the practice. His health having improved, he again opened an office in the Reid and Powell Block, where he continued his practice for many years. A few years before his death he gave up his office, yet he continued his practice up to a short time before his death. His clients went to his home and met and consulted him there. Mr. Eaton never aspired to become a trial lawyer and he seldom argued a case to a jury, yet he was one of the most careful and technical lawyers at the Delaware County Bar. He prepared his cases with the greatest care and his opponent before the court never knew when he was to meet some technical question which might put him out of the case.
Mr. Eaton never aspired to hold office; in fact, he never held an elective office during the long period he practiced law. Up to the summer of the year 1903. his many clients continued to see him at his home, and he continued to see and meet them in this quiet, easy way. He died September, A. D.. 1903.
From 20th Century History of Delaware County, Ohio, and Representative Citizens, Edited and compiled by James R. Lytle, Delaware, Ohio, Biographical Publishing Co., Chicago, 1908