R. C. Eastman
R. C. Eastman, member of the law firm of Prophet & Eastman, of Lima, was born June 1, 1851, in Auglaize township, Allen County, Ohio, and is a son of Jonathan Owen and Rachel A. (Huston) Eastman.
The father of Mr. Eastman was a native of New Jersey, coming to Licking County, Ohio, in 1815, and to Allen County in 1839. He was a blacksmith by trade and also engaged in farming. He married Rachel A. Huston, a daughter of James Huston, who became a resident of this county in 1830, coming from Pennsylvania. Mr. Huston at one time owned the southwestern portion of the farm on which the County Infirmary now stands. He subsequently moved to Lima, and lived and died in the residence an Wayne Street, now occupied by D. C. Richmond. James Huston's father was also named James, and was a cousin of Sam Houston, of Texas.
R. C. Eastman received his primary education in the district schools of Auglaize township, and in 1874 was graduated from the Ohio Normal University at Ada, with the degree of A. B. He then entered upon the study of the law with Cunningham & Brotherton, of Lima, and taught school at intervals prior to his admission to the bar in 1877. He then went to Michigan, practiced for a few months at Bangor, after which he returned to Lima, where, on February 2, 1878, he entered into partnership with Col. H. S. Prophet. This connection has continued, constituting the oldest law firm in Northwestern Ohio.
Ever since locating at Lima and entering upon what has proven a successful professional career, Mr. Eastman has been prominent in civic affairs. From 1882 to 1883 he was a member of the City Council, and for nearly a quarter of a century he has been a member of the City Board of School Examiners. In 1905 he was elected city solicitor of Lima, an office for which he is eminently qualified. For a long period the firm of Prophet & Eastman have been attorneys for the Citizens' Loan & Building Company, and, for the past 22 years, the legal representatives of The Lima Locomotive and Machine Company.
In 1878 Mr. Eastman was married to Leah Beery, of Miami County, Ohio, and they have four children, viz: Bessie, who is a teacher in the Lima public schools; Earl B., who is in the oil fields of Indian Territory; Fred E., who is at college at Wooster, Ohio; and Helen, who is a student in the Lima schools.
Prior to the adoption of the gold platform by the Republicans at their national convention of 1896, Mr. Eastman was a stanch advocate of their principals, having in the previous year been the choice of his party for Representative; but since the adoption of the gold plank by the St. Louis convention he has earnestly advocated the policies of what is known as the Bryan Democracy.
Mr. Eastman is a member of the Allen County Bar Association and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. For a number of years he has been connected with the Market Street Presbyterian Church and has served as a member of its board of trustees and has been an active worker in the Sunday-school.