W. H. Eason, proprietor of the Eason House at Huntingdon, Tenn., is a son of Stephen and Rittie Moore (Trice) Eason. The father was born in Green County, N.C., in December, 1800, and in 1832 came to Carroll County, Tenn., and purchased 160 acres of land. He died in 1870, and was the father of nine children, five of whom are living. At the time of his death his possessions amounted to 600 acres of good and well improved land. His wife was born in North Carolina in 1807 and died in 1879.
Our subject, W. H. Eason, was educated in the common schools and at Bethel College and McLemoresville, Tenn. In June, 1861, he enlisted in Company G, Twenty-second Regiment Tennessee Infantry, and was elected sergeant and first corporal of his company. He was at Belmont, Shiloh, Richmond, Ky., Perryville and Murfreesboro. He was wounded in the head by a ball at Belmont, and in the left arm at Murfreesboro, the wound being so severe that amputation of his arm between the elbow and shoulder was found necessary. He was in the hospital at Chattanooga from January until May, 1863. He then rejoined the army, and until July was forage master. After his return home he erected a still-house and made apple and peach brandy during the summer of 1864. In 1866 he began teaching and taught ten months.
The following fifteen months he attended school at McLemoresville, and was assistant teacher in the college the following seven months. In 1868 he began working with a firm of marble dealers at Evansville, Ind., but in 1870 was elected clerk of the Carroll County Court by a majority of 197 votes, being re-elected in 1874. In 1871 he bought the livery and feed stable of J. E. Southerland & J. R. Johnson, and continued in the business until 1885, with the exception of from 1874 to 1878 when he had it rented. In 1885 the barn burned. Since 1881 he has kept hotel. He owns 1,068 acres of land and five houses and lots in Huntingdon, and an interest in two others. Since 1883 he has been engaged in the retail liquor business.
In December, 1877, he married Beverly A., daughter of Beverly S. and Lizzie Allen. Mrs. Eason was born November 28, 1857, in Carroll County. They have two children: Stephen Allen and William Howard. Mrs. Eason died January 1, 1885. Mr. Eason is a Democrat, and belongs to the I. O. O. F. and K. of H. fraternities.
Transcribed by David Donahue
Source: History of Tennessee from the Earliest Time to the Present: Together with an Historical and a Biographical Sketch of Carroll, Henry and Benton Counties, Besides a Valuable Fund of Notes, Original Observations, Reminiscences, Etc., Etc. Easley, S.C.: Southern Historical Press, 1978.