James Madison Eaton

Other Events:

• Census: 1860, Marysville, Marshall, Kansas; Marysville P.O.
• Census: 1870, Nishnabotna Twp., Atchison, Missouri; Rock Port P.O.
• Census: 1900, Cimarron, Union, New Mexico; Enumeration District 163
• Census: 1910, Justice Precinct 8, Stephens, Texas; Enumeration District 16-252
• Census: 1920, Justice Precinct 8, Stephens, Texas; Enumeration District 17-246
• Census: 1930, Justice Precinct 1, Stephens, Texas
• Occupation: 1880, Edwards Co., Texas; Farmer or stock raiser; owned one wagon; five horses or mules, ten cattle, and four hogs
• Occupation: 1881, Mason Co., Texas; Farmer; owned 160 acres by preemption, valued at $25, along with five horses and nineteen cattle
• Occupation: 1882, Mason Co., Texas; Farmer; owned a wagon, five horses, and twenty-four cattle
• Occupation: 1883, Mason Co., Texas; Farmer; owned a wagon, four horses, twenty-four cattle, and three sheep
• Occupation: 1884, Mason Co., Texas; Farmer; owned two wagons, eight horses, forty-two cattle, and four sheep
• Occupation: 1885, Mason Co., Texas; Owned two wagons, nine horses, forty cattle, and seven sheep
• Occupation: 1886, Mason Co., Texas; Farmer; owned two wagons, ten horses, forty cattle, nine sheep, and ten hogs
• Occupation: 1887, Taylor Co., Texas; Farmer; owned two wagons, eight horses, and thirteen cattle
• Occupation: 1888, Taylor Co., Texas; Farmer; owned two wagons, five horses, fourteen cattle, and sixty goats
• Occupation: 1889, Taylor Co., Texas; Farmer; owned two wagons, seven horses, twenty-one cattle, and two hogs
• Occupation: 1890, Taylor Co., Texas; Farmer; owned two wagons, seven horses, twenty-eight cattle, and six hogs
• Occupation: 1891, Taylor Co., Texas; Farmer; owned two wagons, seven horses, thirty cattle, and twelve hogs
• Occupation: 1892, Taylor Co., Texas; Farmer; owned three wagons, nine horses, thirty cattle, and seven hogs
• Occupation: 1900, Cimarron, Union, New Mexico; Farmer
• Occupation: 1910, Justice Precinct 8, Stephens, Texas; Farmer, General farm
• Occupation: 1920, Justice Precinct 8, Stephens, Texas; Farmer
• Residence: 1860, Marysville, Marshall, Kansas; With parents John and Mary (York) Eaton and five siblings
• Residence: 1870, Nishnabotna Twp., Atchison, Missouri; With father John Eaton and four siblings
• Residence: 1880, Edwards Co., Texas; Not listed as a land owner; possibly resided with mother-in-law Elizabeth (Watson) Smart
• Residence: 1881, Mason Co., Texas
• Residence: 1882, Mason Co., Texas; Owned 160 acres through preemption, valued at $75
• Residence: 1883, Mason Co., Texas; Owned 320 acres of land valued at $210
• Residence: 1884, Mason Co., Texas; Owned 160 acres valued at $75
• Residence: 1885, Mason Co., Texas; Owned 160 acres valued at $400
• Residence: 1886, Mason Co., Texas; Owned 160 acres valued at $500
• Residence: 1887, Taylor Co., Texas; Owned 160 acres valued at $800
• Residence: 1888, Taylor Co., Texas; Owned 160 acres valued at $500
• Residence: 1889, Taylor Co., Texas; Owned 160 acres valued at $500
• Residence: 1890, Taylor Co., Texas; Owned 160 acres valued at $560
• Residence: 1891, Taylor Co., Texas; Owned 160 acres valued at $560
• Residence: 1892, Taylor Co., Texas; Listed as a resident non-land owner
• Residence: 1900, Cimarron, Union, New Mexico; In the home of stepson-in-law Henry N and step-daughter Martha E (Huffman) Waldrup, with wife Elizabeth (Smart), five children, a step-nephew, a step-niece and two farm hands
• Residence: 19 Jul 1901, Flora Vista, San Juan, New Mexico
• Residence: 24 Aug 1902, Farmington, San Juan, New Mexico; On this date his sixteen-year-old daughter, Rosa Lee, was married "at [her] residence," presumably then with her parents.
• Residence: 1910, Justice Precinct 8, Stephens, Texas; With wife Elizabeth (Smart) and two sons
• Residence: 1920, Justice Precinct 8, Stephens, Texas; With wife Elizabeth (Smart)
• Residence: 1930, Justice Precinct 1, Stephens, Texas; Listed in Edison neighborhood with son Joseph. Also listed in Carry Pool neighborhood with son James.

Notes:

The "Old Indian named Alec Yarbo" mentioned in the story could have been named Alec Yarbo, Yarborough, Yarbrough, etc. There were some Yarborough/Yarbrough families in the Okfuskee/Creek/Hughes county area at the time.

More likely the man's name was Alahek (Alec) Harjo, Harjo being a family name among the Creek Nation. For example, a sixty-four year old widower whose name is recorded as Aha-Luck Harjo appears in the 1900 census of Okfuskee County, Oklahoma, in the extreme southwest corner of the county, Twp 10N Range 9E, adjacent to Hughes County (the location of Holdenville). This area was formerly part of the Creek Nation. There was an Alex Harjo who applied for a land allotment as a member of the Creek Nation (one of the "five civilized tribes") in Twp 11N Range 9E in 1900.

The Eatons Come to Texas

as told to Mozelle Wootan Benton

I don't really remember Grandpa James Madison Eaton, but I believe he was not a large man, and he wore a mustache. Mama (Lilly Mae Eaton Wootan) said he loved horses and that he liked to move to new places - always thought a new plaetter. In fact, she (Mama) said he was kind of a "fiddle foot", but he seemed to make a good living, for those times, where ever they lived. Grandma Betty (Elizabeth Smart Huffman Eaton), as I remember her, was a slender woman with a pleasant outlook on life. As I think about it, I can't remember any of our parents or grandparents complaining or whining - it didn't seem to be part of their nature. What a wonderful legacy that is!

I don't really know where Grandpa and Grandma lived before Mama was born, except records show they had children born in Mason County and Mama said they were married in the same County where Grandma was born, either Bandera or Coryell County. At any rate, they were living near Abilene, in Taylor County when Mama was born October 12, 1887. When she was about five years old, Grandpa moved his family and all worldly goods by train to Indian Territory, what is now Oklahoma. They lived first in the Chickasaw Nation, then lived in the Creek Nation, near what is now Muskogee. Grandpa leased land from on "Old Indian named Alec Yarbo".

While they were living on Mr. Yarbo's place he decided Aunt Minnie would make a nice addition to his household, and he offered Grandpa a new wagon, a good span of horses (or mules) and a set of new harnesses for her! Mama said Aunt Minnie was really scared, she was afraid Grandpa wouldn't be able to resist such a good trade! But he did resist, and Mama said she never thought she was in any danger.

Grandpa's father, John Eaton, lived with them while they were in Oklahoma and he died while they were still living near Holdenville (1898 or 1899) and is buried there.

I believe Aunt Mary married while they were in Oklahoma. She married Jim McDaniel, and they had three children. Aunt Mattie was married too, but she may have married before they left Texas, Mama didn't say.

Anyway, sometime around 1899 or 1900, Grandpa decided the grass was surely greener farther west, so he decided to go to Folsom, New Mexico where Aunt Mattie and Uncle Henry Waldrup lived. They went by wagon to Durango, Colorado, then on to Folsom, NM. After two or three weeks in Folsom, Grandpa took the family to Durango where they spent a couple of months while the weather was warm.

Then they decided they would move to Farmington, New Mexico. Grandpa made a living hauling freight from Albuquerque to Farmington. While they were in Farmington, Aunt Mary and her husband, decided they would move their family to New Mexico, too. They traveled by train from Indian Territory to Durango, Colorado. Grandpa took Grandma and some of the kids to Durango to meet the train and bring the McDaniels back. When the train came in Mr. McDaniels was very ill with pneumonia. He lived less than two weeks after arriving. After his funeral, Grandpa, Grandma, Aunt Mary and the children went to Farmington. Aunt Mary got a job in the apple canning plant - Mama said there were many large apple orchards in the area. I believe it was while she was working in the apple "shed" that Aunt Mary met Huber Vineyard, a widower with two children. They soon married and had two children of their own.

After they had lived in Farmington for two years or so, Grandpa took Grandma and Uncle Jim, who was nine or ten years old, to Capitan, New Mexico, to see Grandma's sister and her family. This was Minta and Tom Buckelew. Grandma got sick while they were there, and Grandpa decided to move to Capitan - I don't know which came first.

Anyway, he and Uncle Henry Waldrup started back to Farmington to move everything to Capitan. (I don't know whether Aunt Mattie and Uncle Henry were already living in Capitan, or whether he was going to move there also.)

Grandpa and Uncle Henry were going by wagon but the snow was so deep they couldn't make it and Grandpa went back to Grandma, and Uncle Henry took the train to Farmington. He and Uncle Joe (who was 17 or 18 years old) got the things together and started moving to Capitan. They were on the road for two weeks, and there was snow on the ground all the way. Mama rode side saddle the entire trip, and took care of the loose horses. She loved it!

She loved horses, like her father. I asked her if she didn't get awfully cold, but she said she didn't remember being very cold.

Grandpa got a job in Capitan, hauling ties to the railroad. I believe she said the ties were cut in the mountains - in what is now Lincoln National Forest, I guess.

While they lived at Capitan, their water came from a spring in the mountains about two miles away. The water came down the mountain in a wooden trough made out of 2' x 12' boards, Mama said. In the Winter it was Mama's and Uncle Jim's job to "walk the trough" and cut the ice out of it, so the water could run into the storage tank. Another fun job!

Not found in Stephens Co., Texas probate minutes index
Not found in Stephens Co., Texas wills index
Not found in Young Co., Texas probate records index

Not found in Mason Co., Texas tax rolls of 1879, 1878
Not found in Llano Co., Texas tax rolls of 1879
Not found in Burnet Co., Texas tax rolls of 1879
Not found in Kerr Co., Texas tax rolls of 1879
Not found in Menard Co., Texas tax rolls of 1879
Not found in Edwards Co., Texas tax rolls of 1879, 1878
Not found in Bandera Co., Texas tax rolls of 1879
Not found in Bell Co., Texas tax rolls of 1873, 1874, 1875 (not available 1876-1881)
Not found in Williamson Co., Texas tax rolls of 1874 (not available 1875-1881)
Not found in Coryell Co., Texas tax rolls of 1879

Buried:
Shady Grove Cemetery

James married Elizabeth Smart 11 Mar 1875, Travis Co., Texas. Elizabeth (daughter of John D Smart and Elizabeth Watson) was born 31 Mar 1854, Williamson Co., Texas; died 1 Oct 1935, Eliasville, Young, Texas; was buried 2 Oct 1935, Eolian, Stephens, Texas. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

Married:
Officiated by James W Smith, JP

1. Mary Jane Eaton was born 27 Oct 1877, Real Co., Texas; died 5 Apr 1966, Levelland, Hockley, Texas; was buried 7 Apr 1966, Levelland, Hockley, Texas.
2. Arminta Muriel Eaton was born 3 Nov 1879, Mason Co., Texas; died 16 Aug 1970, Ranger, Eastland, Texas; was buried 18 Aug 1970, Breckenridge, Stephens, Texas.
3. Joseph Pinson Eaton was born 7 Oct 1881, Texas; died 1 Nov 1930, Clovis, Curry, New Mexico; was buried Texico, Curry, New Mexico.
4. Nancy Lynton Eaton was born 22 Aug 1883, Castell, Mason, Texas; died 1 May 1956, Gallup, McKinley, New Mexico; was buried 4 May 1956, Gladewater, Upshur, Texas.
5. Rosa Lee Eaton was born Nov 1885, Mason Co., Texas; died Oct 1956.
6. John Eaton was born 1886; died Bef 1890.
7. Maggie Eaton died Yes, date unknown.
8. Lilly Mae Eaton was born 12 Oct 1887, Taylor Co., Texas; died 13 Feb 1983, Menard, Menard, Texas; was buried Kimble Co., Texas.
9. James Riley Eaton was born 22 May 1892, Mason Co., Texas; died 17 Aug 1968, Forth Worth, Tarrant, Texas; was buried Santa Ana, Orange, California.
10. Charlie Eaton was born Aft 1892; died Yes, date unknown.

Other Events:

• Census: 1850, Bureau Co., Illinois
• Census: 1859, Americus, Breckenridge, Kansas
• Census: 1860, Marysville, Marshall, Kansas; Marysville P.O.
• Census: 1870, Nishnabotna Twp., Atchison, Missouri; Rock Port P.O.
• Census: 1880, Precinct 1, Mason, Texas; Enumeration District 103
• Occupation: 1850, Bureau Co., Illinois; Farmer
• Occupation: 1860, Marysville, Marshall, Kansas; Farmer
• Occupation: 1870, Nishnabotna Twp., Atchison, Missouri; Farmer
• Occupation: 1880, Precinct 1, Mason, Texas; Works on farm
• Occupation: 1888, Taylor Co., Texas; Farmer; owned 375 sheep valued at $350
• Occupation: 1891, Taylor Co., Texas; Farmer; owned six cattle
• Residence: 1850, Bureau Co., Illinois; With wife Nancy (York), a daughter and a sister
• Residence: 1858, Americus, Breckenridge, Kansas; The 1859 Kansas state census lists a "date of settlement" for each family
• Residence: 1859, Americus, Breckenridge, Kansas; With another adult and five children
• Residence: 1860, Marysville, Marshall, Kansas; With second wife Mary and six children
• Residence: 1870, Nishnabotna Twp., Atchison, Missouri; With five children
• Residence: 1877, Bandera Co., Texas; Listed among residents but not as a land owner; owned a wagon and two horses
• Residence: 1880, Precinct 1, Mason, Texas; With son Joseph A Eaton, daughter-in-law Elizabeth (Huffman) and their three children
• Residence: 1881, Mason Co., Texas
• Residence: 1888, Taylor Co., Texas; Not recorded in the county tax roll as owning any land but recorded adjacent to son James M Eaton
• Residence: 1889, Bandera Co., Texas; Listed among residents but not as a land owner; owned a wagon, two horses, and a cow
• Residence: 1891, Taylor Co., Texas; Listed in the "Residents" section of the county tax roll for this year, though not listed as a land owner. Probably lived with son James M Eaton

Notes:

Not found in the Bandera Co., Texas tax rolls of 1879

Not found in Index to Probate Minutes of Taylor Co., Texas 1874-1904 (23 Jan 2017)
Probate records of Mason Co., Texas not available online (23 Jan 2017)
Not found in Index to Probate Records of Bandera Co., Texas 1856-1974 (23 Jan 2017)
Not found in Muskogee Nation, Indian Territory Probate Records vol. A and B, 1890-1905 (23 Jan 2017)
Not found in probate records of the United States District Court of Ardmore, Indian Territory of 1895-1907 -- very few such records (23 Jan 2017)
Not found in the Supreme Court Record Book of the Creek Nation, vol. 48 1884-1898 (23 Jan 2017)

No Eatons found in the lists of Illinois soldiers of the Black Hawk War (1831-32) (19 Feb 2018)

Birth:
The 1860 census lists his birthplace as Illinois; all others give Kentucky.

Occupation:
Owned one horse

The Mason County tax rolls of 1880 do not specifically list his occupation, however, he owned no land but apparently some equipment that would be used in farming

Died:
Said to have been near Holdenville, Hughes Co., Oklahoma; best guess is in nearby Okfuskee County on the land of a Creek named Aha-Luck Harjo

John — Mary York. Mary was born 1820 - 1824, Illinois; died 01 Jun 1860 - 01 Jun 1870. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Census: 1850, Bureau Co., Illinois
• Census: 1860, Marysville, Marshall, Kansas; Marysville P.O.
• Residence: 1850, Bureau Co., Illinois; With husband John Eaton, a daughter and a sister-in-law
• Residence: 1860, Marysville, Marshall, Kansas; With husband John Eaton and six children

Notes:

Name:
Some sources and researchers have her given name as "Nancy"