The family of which the subject of this sketch is an honored
representative has been known in Marion county since the pioneer period and
the record they have made has been one of which Mr. Eagan can justly be
proud, for his ancestors left a priceless heritage to their posterity, the
memory of names and deeds which time can neither obliterate nor dim.
Gustin L. Eagan was born in Marion county, Illinois, in 1857, the son of
Henry and Margaret (Hatten) Eagan. Grandfather Isaac Eagan, who was born in
Tennessee, came to Illinois, settling in Kinmundy, when a young man. He
drove a stage coach through Salem and to the south, and later became a
farmer and lived until about the age of seventy-five years. He was the
father of nine children, eight of whom lived to be men and women. His wife
was also about seventy-five years old when she was called to her rest. They
were members of the Cumberland Presbyterian church. Grandfather donated
ground for the local church in Kinmundy, the deed having been made to the
trustee of the Cumberland Presbyterian church and their successors, for the
use of this denomination. The Presbyterians are now seeking to take the
property from the hands of the original grantees to be used by the
Presbyterian church. Grandfather Eagan was a Democrat, a man of industry,
leaving considerable property of value which reverted to his heirs.
Grandfather Hatten was a native of North Carolina and lived and died in that
state. Grandmother Hatten moved to Marion county, this state, where she
settled, after her husband's death. She lived to be about sixty-five years
old. There were four children in the Hatten family, one of them becoming a
soldier in the Civil war, having served in an Illinois regiment, serving out
his time and receiving an honorable discharge.
The subject's father
was born in Marion county and always lived here. He was a wagon-maker, also
manufactured plows, for many years making all the wagons and plows used in
this part of the country, following his trade periodically all his life,
also owned a small farm. He was called from his earthly labors when
forty-eight years old, the subject's mother being only a year older than her
husband when she was called to the spirit land. They were Cumberland
Presbyterians, and were the parents of ten children, eight of whom lived to
maturity. Henry Eagan was a Democrat in his political beliefs.
Gustin L. Eagan, our subject, was educated in the public schools, which he
left when eighteen years old, and began the blacksmith's trade. Following in
the footsteps of his father, he soon became a very skilled artisan and
upheld the high reputation for first class work that his worthy father had
so long borne. At this writing, Mr. Eagan is proprietor of the Hotel Eagan,
one of the most popular and convenient places for the accommodation of
transients to the city that can be found in the county, being known as a
place of homelike comfort, and where courteous treatment is extended to all.
As a result of these facts this house has become widely known to the
traveling public, and Mr. Eagan enjoys a liberal patronage. Besides this,
line of business he still successfully conducts his blacksmith shop,
enjoying, as usual, a liberal patronage from Kinmundy and surrounding
country. He has been able to lay by a comfortable competency for his old
age.
Mr. Eagan was united in marriage in 1889 to Jennie Darney, a
native of Ohio, whose father died in Illinois, after which event the mother
of Mrs. Eagan moved back to Ohio, where she died. Mr. Darney came to America
from France. He was a soldier, having seen service in the FrancoGerman war.
The family of our subject and wife consists of four interesting children,
named as follows: Beulah, who was born in 1891, is the wife of F. H.
Spillman, and the mother of one child; Mascelline, who was born in 1893,
graduated from the local schools in 1907; Lawrence was born in 1895, and is
living at home; Henry was born in 1897, died in infancy.
In his
fraternal relations he is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows
and the Knights of Pythias. In politics he is a stanch Democrat, and
faithfully served as Alderman for a number of years. He has also been
Trustee, Collector and Supervisor. Mr. Eagan was Mayor of Kinmundy from 1906
to 1908. In all these official capacities he discharged his duties with
great credit to himself and to the entire satisfaction of all concerned. He
is held in high favor by the people of Marion county, where he is well known
and where he labors for the advancement of the general good.
Extracted 27 May 2019 by Norma Hass from 1909 Biographical and Reminiscent History of Richland, Clay and Marion Counties, Illinois, pages 532-533.