EATON, Edward Commemorative and Biographical Record of Columbia, Sauk and Adams Counties, WI. Chicago: Ogle, 1901, p 346-349 (Portraits of Mr. & Mrs. Edward EATON p 347) Edward EATON owns one of the finest farms in Delton Township, Sauk County, a farm of 330 acres that has a river frontage of over one mile. Mr. EATON was born in Benenden, Kent, England, 02 Dec 1835, and was the son of Edward and Mary (SHOEBRIDGE) EATON. His father was a native of Benenden, England, and was a farmer by occupation. He came to America in 1841, and purchased a farm in Madison County, NY, where he was successful in the growing of hops. He remained there 13 years, and gathered together a comfortable competence. He disposed of his property in 1855 and removed to Newport, Sauk County, WI, arriving 23 Jan 1856. He purchased lots in the town of Newport, and established a meat market in that town, in which business he was engaged at the time of his death. He was drowned in the Wisconsin River in Jun 1856, and was buried at Delton [Sauk County, WI], and his wife was laid to rest beside him in 1869. Edward EATON was the only child born to Edward and Mary EATON, and came to America with his parents. As a youth he worked on the farm with his father, and after their arrival at Newport engaged for a time in the mercantile business, and later turned his attention to farming. He has gained his property by faithful efforts, and has become one of the substantial men of Delton Township. His property is daily becoming more valuable, owing to its location, and is an ideal spot for summer cottages. Many notable places are in the vicinity of his farm, including Lone Rock Inkstand, Sugar Bowl, and the Cave of the Dark Waters, all of which are in the lower dells of the Wisconsin, and the fishing on the river at that point is excellent. Mr. EATON set out a hop yard in 1861, and continued raising hops until 1884. The raising of that product of the farm is too well known in this community to need comment here, but the EATON family were probably the best known and most successful hop growers in the country, being natives of the hop garden of the world, Kent, England, from whence they brought many practical and valuable ideas in regard to their culture. In Aug 1884 F. S. W. MANN, now Lord Cornwallis, of Linton Park, Maidstone, England, paid a visit to the farm [p 349] of Mr. EATON, being at that time interested in hop growing in England, and was one of the largest land owners in the hop district of Kent. Our subject sold hops as high as 58 cents per pound, but the price finally dropped to one and a fourth cents per pound and proved an unremunerative crop, and since then Mr. EATON has engaged in general farming. Our subject was married 15 Jan 1857 to Celinda Mianda CHAFFEE, daughter of Captain Enoch and Rhoda M. (STRANAHAN) CHAFFEE, of Otsego County, NY. Mrs. EATON's father came west in 1865, locating at Newport [Sauk County], WI. He was a captain in the NY militia. His death occurred in Mar 1887, and he was buried in Baraboo [Sauk County, WI], in Mr. EATON's family lot. Mrs. EATON's mother returned east in 1880, and made her home with her eldest daughter in Peterboro, Madison County, NY, until her death in 1881. Mr. and Mrs. EATON are the parents of two children: Minnie Mianda, born 14 Feb 1866, now the wife of Rev. T. E. FOSS, of Hancock [Waushara County], WI, and Edward Emmon, born 15 Jun 1870, an agriculturist of Delton Township [Sauk County, WI]. Mr. EATON is a consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal church of Delton, and is trustee, district steward, and treasurer of the same. He has never sought public office, preferring to serve his township otherwise; is a most prominent member of his community; in political faith is a Republican. Contributed by Cathy Kubly