Horace Perkins Eaton, for many years a resident of Franklin, Merrimack County, and a highly esteemed and influential citizen, was a native of Weare, N.H. He was born August 30, 1811, and was the eldest son of Wheeler and Abigail (Perkins) Eaton. His father, also a native of Weare, was a shoemaker and tanner by trade. He lived for a while in Seabrook, from which place he removed to Franklin, N.H., where he settled in the northern part of the town and engaged in general farming. He spent the rest of his life on this farm; but in his latter years he sold out to his son-in-law, Dana W. Call, with whom he thenceforward made his home. He died September 1, 1871, Abigail Perkins, bore five children, all of whom are now dead. Their names were: Horace Perkins, Cyrus, Gorham, Emily W., and William. Mrs. Abigail P. Eaton died in 1838; and Mr. Wheeler Eaton married for his second wife Mrs. Nancy Burleigh Sleeper, of Sanbornton, N.H., by whom he had one daughter, Emily, who married Dana W. Call, and is now deceased.
Horace Perkins Eaton received his education in the best schools of Weare, and, after he had finished his studies, turned his attention to farming. He was an energetic man and a progressive farmer. In politics he was a Republican, and he was the Representative for the town of Franklin for several years. He also served as Selectman a number of times. He was always an earnest member of the Franklin Christian Church, and took great interest in all church work. He died August 26, 1886. He was married at the age of twenty-six to Ismenie S. Merrill, a native of Franklin, and the youngest daughter of Ezekiel and Jane (Bradbury) Merrill. From Franklin Mr. Merrill removed to Plymouth, N.H. There he lived in his later years a retired life, although previously engaged in the business of wheelwright. He died at the age of ninety-six. He was twice married, and by his first wife, Jane Bradbury, of Gilmanton, had seven children, of whom two, Joseph W. and Mrs. Eaton, are now living. His second wife, Mary Pevies, was born in Andover. The daughter Ismenie, born December 23, 1816, was but eleven months old when her mother died; and she was taken to live with a family by the name of Simonds, who brought her up as their own child. She was twenty years old at the time of her marriage. Mr. and Mrs. Eaton had four children, namely: Frank W., who married Frances Young, and is now living in Hill, N.H.; Abigail, who died March 29, 1883, the wife of John P. Sanborn, the latter now living with his son in Tilton, N.H.; and twin daughters, born October 3, 1849. Nancy J., one of the twins, became the wife of E. W. Lane, and is living in Sanbornton, N.H.; and the other, Lilla M., lives with her mother on Main Street, Franklin village, whither they removed a year after the death of Mr. Eaton. Mrs. Eaton is a member of the Christian church and an efficient helper in all church work.