John Hill Eaton (1819 - 1893)

Eaton was born at Bradford, NH. A son of state militia officer (30th Regiment) Joshua Eaton, lived in the house his father had built in the western part of Bradford in 1810. According to the 1870 census Eaton maintained 240 acres of "improved" farmland and 100 acres of woodland, plus horses, cattle, sheep and other animals. In 1870 Eaton cared for the property with a family of seven that included three children. One farm laborer was paid $150 wages for the year.

In 1859 Bradford became the railhead for the Concord & Claremont Railroad. Eaton had not shown interest in running for political offices in Bradford, but rail travel to and from Concord was easy after 1859. Eaton served one term (1863-1865) as a state representative, then returned full time to farming. His portrait was probably painted while he was a legislator.