Frank A. Eaton
Frank A. Eaton, one of the prominent and honorable citizens of Bluffton, who served as mayor from 1903 to 1905, and who for years has been engaged in a successful real estate, loan and insurance business, was born near Bucyrus, Crawford County, Ohio, April 30,1857, and is a son of James H. and Mary Ann (McWilliams) Eaton.
The late James H. Eaton was a farmer and large land-owner in Allen County for a number of years, coming here from Crawford County in 1866. He bought a farm of 350 acres, a great part of which is now included within the corporate limits of Bluffton. He died here in 1894, at the advanced age of 84 years. He was prominent both in Crawford and Allen counties, being the first judge of probate elected in the former county, and the first one in the State after the office was created. He served one term as mayor of Bluffton, and throughout life was an honorable, public-spirited citizen. In politics he was a Democrat. He married Mary Ann McWillliams and their family consisted of four sons and two daughters, Frank A. being the third member in order of birth.
Frank A. Eaton was nine years old when his parents came to Bluffton. He was educated in the public schools and at the Ohio Normal University at Ada, spending two years at the latter school. After a few years of farming he went into the mercantile business, in which his ability and honorable methods brought him success, and through which he became widely acquainted. In 1897 he embarked in his present line, that of insurance real estate and investments. The other lines of his business are carried on with the same energy which has characterized his whole business career.
Mr. Eaton has always been a good Democrat and has been more of less a party leader in this locality for some years. He has served several terms as township clerk of Richland township, and in 1903, was elected mayor of Bluffton for a term of two years, by a substantial majority.
In 1879 Mr. Eaton was untied in marriage with Nellie Bartlett, who was born in Pennsylvania, and is a daughter of Ransom and Sophia Bartlett. They have one son, Ross, who is in business at Independence, Kansas.
Mr. Eaton is a popular member of a number of the fraternal organizations of the country, including among these the Knights of Pythias, Independent Order of Odd Fellows and Modern Woodmen of America.