of each in turn has been made a valuable part of these Proceedings. The present writer is honored in that to him has been assigned the preparation of a sketch of the last name upon this list of Past Grand Masters. It is a first essay in such work, and inexperience must be pleaded if the work falls below the deserts of the subject.

WILLARD LEE EATON, Past Grand Master of Iowa Masons, comes of a sturdy stock, and some of the virtues of a line of Puritan ancestors have come down to him as an unimpaired inheritance. There is about him something of the rugged New Hampshire hills, from whence his father sprung. Blood tells, and his is no impoverished strain. His father, Arial K. Eaton, was a pioneer-one of that band of strong men whose superb faith in the new West led to years of earnest work and consequent reward. We find his name of record as receiver of the United States land office at Osage, appointed to the position by President Pierce. member of the General Assembly of Iowa. He was active in the politics of his day and had a wide acquaintance among those who shaped the destinies of the state and shared in their councils. We find him among the first supporters of General Jones for the United States Senate. Between these two men there was an abiding friendship, which increased with the passing years, and the two passed from the scene of earthly labor within a week of each other.

He was also a

Born at Delhi, Delaware county, Iowa, October 13th, 1848, Brother Eaton removed to Osage with his parents in 1856, and there he has resided ever since. He received his education in letters at Cedar Valley seminary, graduating thence with the degree of A. B. He went through the law course at the State University, and in 1872 was given the LL. B. by that institution. Upper Iowa University conferred upon him an honorary LL. D. in 1900.

Having laid a foundation of learning and mastered the theory of his profession, Brother Eaton returned to his home town of Osage and has since 1874 devoted himself continuously to the practice of law. In the same year that he began

his practice he also took unto himself a wife, being married to Miss Laura R. Annis, at Westfield, Vermont, September 11th, 1874. Two children have blessed this union, one of whom, Ivan Willard Eaton, was born February 18th, 1882, and died September 19th, 1884. The other, Allan March Eaton, was born March 15th, 1887, and promises to perpetuate the good name and continue the good deeds of his stalwart father.

The good people of Osage very thoroughly know and appreciate Brother Eaton's abilities, and have turned them to account to the great benefit of the town and county. For three terms he was mayor of Osage, and for one term he was county attorney. He has also served as a member of the local school board. He represented his district in the General Assembly of Iowa, and in that body speedily became a leader. In the game of politics he has proven himself astute and aggressive, and while his opponents may deem him a hard fighter, none of them will deny that he is also just and chivalrous, as becomes a strong man.

In educational affairs Brother Eaton has always taken a deep interest. For twenty years he has been a member of the board of trustees of Cedar Valley Seminary, and is also one of the trustees for Upper Iowa University of Fayette. To these institutions he has given freely of his time and best thought, content that he might do his share in giving the future men and women of Iowa the training that their time will demand.

In religious matters his convictions are strong and deep, yet, as might be expected, he does not carry his heart upon his sleeve. The real earnestness and sincerity of this man's belief can only be known to those who approach him in sympathetic mood and probe beneath his reserved nature with insistent purpose. In conversation with Brother Eaton some time since the writer touched upon the subject of the higher criticism in things Biblical. "Well," he replied, "the Book has sufficed for the faith of Christendom for centuries, and millions of men and women have lived better lives because

of its teachings before ever the higher critics were heard of. And, after all, what matters it to you or I if the transcribers or copyists have made errors or mixed their texts, if the great truths are preserved unimpaired. Every man has his peculiar opinions, but these should be for himself and his conscience and not used to unsettle the faith of the young or the uninformed. For twenty years I have taught a Sundayschool class, and during all that time I have not attempted to shine by my own light. I have been satisfied to teach the old book and the old faith to these children and young people, and in so doing I have nothing to regret." It was a presentment of the case that will not soon be forgotten, and was characteristic of the man.

Brother Eaton's business connections are varied and important. His clear mind and legal training makes him especially valuable where financial interests are concerned. He is a director of the Farmers National Bank, of Osage; director in the Home Trust and Savings Company Bank, and holds similar positions with other institutions of a like nature.

As a Mason it goes without saying that Brother Eaton has deserved well the honors he has gained. Unfortunately, complete data as to his fraternity record is not immediately available. A mere list of the bodies with which he is connected is all at hand. These are: Osage Lodge, No. 102; Osage Chapter, No. 36; Cœur de Leon Commandery, No. 19, Des Moines Consistory, and El Kahir Temple of the Mystic Shrine. He is also associated with the Knights of Pythias, Order of the Eastern Star, and other fraternities and societies.

In the Grand Lodge he served as Junior Grand Warden and as Deputy Grand Master before receiving the crowning honor of the craft.

It now but remains to attempt an estimate of his service as Grand Master. This can be, perhaps, best told by the statement that he leaves his high office with the knowledge that peace and harmony prevails in all the jurisdiction; that his decisions have been such as to commend themselves to all