William T. Eaton, deceased, real estate dealer and promoter of the growth and expansion of Grand Rapids, Mich., was born in Sherburne, Chenango county, N. Y., August 1, 1819. His education was acquired in the common schools of the Empire state, in which he lived until 1864, when he came to Grand Rapids and for a few years conducted a gents furnishing store.

In the meanwhile his keen habits of observation developed to his mind the prospective increase in the value of real estate in and around the city, and with John Cochran he formed a partnership in speculation in suburban acres. They purchased largely, platted their acquisitions into building lots, but sold many of them in acre tracts, which have since, with the city’s rapid growth, become very valuable, Most of the lots were sold on easy and desirable terms to respectable people for actual residential purposes, and these terms were so accommodating that payments on the purchase price are still being made to his widow, or other heirs. Through too close attention to business his health failed, and his decease took place October 2, 1884. In him passed away one of the most useful and progressive citizens of Grand Rapids, whose name will be perpetuated as long as the Valley City shall have existence. In politics he was a republican, and in religion a member of the Park Congregational church.

Mr. Eaton was twice married. His first wedding took place in New York state, when he was united, May 3, 1843, with Miss Lavinia R. Robinson, who died December 3, 1867, the mother of three children, viz: Charles C., who was a graduate from law department of the university of Michigan at Ann Arbor, and died in 1868; William R., born August 26, 1861, is married and father of one child, and is now in the lumber business at Lockwood, Mo., Carrie, born Match 16, 1864, died three days later.

The second marriage of Mr. Eaton occurred February 10, 1869, when he was united with Mrs. Elvira O. Belknap, daughter of Jonathan and Nancy (Kingsbury) Sanborn, of Connecticut. Mrs. Eaton came to Grand Rapids from Ohio in 1855, and by her first marriage was the mother of two children, viz: Nettie L., wife of T. F. Moseley, and the mother of one child, Helen E.; Carrie E., the second child born to Mrs. Elvira O. Belknap, is residing with her mother, Mrs. Eaton, at her pleasant home, No. 1589 Cherry street. Mrs. Eaton is a highly accomplished lady, affable in demeanor, and is greatly admired for her many excellencies of personal character. Her parents were of the Western Reserve on Ohio, where her father, an iron manufacturer, foundryman, etc., died when Mrs. Eaton was still very young, but her mother survived until eighty-seven years of age and died in Grand Rapids at the home of her beloved daughter, Mrs. Eaton.