Rufus Easton
Encyclopedia
Rufus Easton was a Delegate from the Territory of Missouri.
Born in Litchfield, Connecticut
, Easton completed an academic course.
He studied law, and was admitted to the bar and commenced practice in Rome, New York
. Then he moved west and settled in Vincennes, Indiana
, in Indiana Territory
, in 1804.
He moved to St. Louis, Missouri
(then the District of Louisiana), and was appointed judge of the District of Louisiana in 1805.
He was appointed the first postmaster of St. Louis and served from January 1, 1805, to January 1, 1815. Bruce Adamson a great grandson of Rufus Easton wrote a book on Easton's life " Since 1985 Adamson has petition the postmaster general's office to have Rufus Easton placed on a postage stamp. For Which We Stand; The Life of Rufus Easton;" two of the chapters were written by professor William Foley. http://ciajfk.com/rufuseaston.html
Adamson points out that "he owes his existence to the fact that Thomas Jefferson's postmaster general in 1806: Gideon Granger talked Easton out of a duel with the first vice president Aaron Burr. Two years earlier Burr killed Alexander Hamilton. Easton built the first post office west of the Mississippi in St. Louis at 3rd and Elm near where the St. Louis Arch rests today."
In 1815 Edward Bates moved into the Easton home and studied law and became Easton's law partner and as a Delegate for the Territory ran the Easton law firm. Forty-five years later Bates would become Abraham Lincoln's first choice as Attorney General. In 1866 Bates' wrote to a descendant of Easton, "that he still lives in my memory today," even though Easton had died in 1834.
Rufus Easton was elected a Delegate from the Territory of Missouri
on September 17, 1814, and served until August 5, 1816. Adamson points out "As a Congressman for the Territory Rufus Easton was responsible for the creation of 14 post offices in the territory...Easton holds the distinction of passing the first bill through Congress for federal aid in a natural disaster. The New Madrid Earthquakes in which an after shock lasted an hour."
Rufus Easton unsuccessfully contested the election of John Scott
, for the succeeding term.
Upon the organization of the Missouri state government in 1821, Easton was appointed attorney general and served until 1826.
He engaged in the practice of law and in the real estate business.
He died in St. Charles, Missouri, July 5, 1834.
He was interred in the Lindenwood College, Cemetery. Lindenwood College was founded by his daughter, Mary Easton Sibley
. Alton, Illinois was named after his son, Alton Easton.
Adamson wrote: Bates' wrote on behalf of Easton's son Langdon C. Easton who was Chief Quartermaster of General William T. Sherman's 100,000 army. Langdon was Brevet Major General after Langdon's brother Alton wrote to his friend U.S. Grant to promote his brother's position. The brothers Langdon and Alton Easton during the Civil War were in charge of more than 155,000 Union troops. Alton, Illinois is named in Alton's honor 'the first white American born in 1807 in the Louisiana Territory. Alton and Langdon's cousin married Major General Alexander Jackson Smith who himself was in charge of 12,000 troops. Grant thought so highly of A.J. Smith he placed him in charge of the surrender of Vicksburg."
Easton taught law on the frontier not only to Edward Bates, but to Charles Lucas
who was killed on bloody island by Senator Thomas Hart Benton, among his pupils was Joshua Barton
.
Born in Litchfield, Connecticut
Litchfield, Connecticut
Litchfield is a town in and former county seat of Litchfield County, Connecticut, United States, and is known as an affluent summer resort. The population was 8,316 at the 2000 census. The boroughs of Bantam and Litchfield are located within the town...
, Easton completed an academic course.
He studied law, and was admitted to the bar and commenced practice in Rome, New York
Rome, New York
Rome is a city in Oneida County, New York, United States. It is located in north-central or "upstate" New York. The population was 44,797 at the 2010 census. It is in New York's 24th congressional district. In 1758, British forces began construction of Fort Stanwix at this strategic location, but...
. Then he moved west and settled in Vincennes, Indiana
Vincennes, Indiana
Vincennes is a city in and the county seat of Knox County, Indiana, United States. It is located on the Wabash River in the southwestern part of the state. The population was 18,701 at the 2000 census...
, in Indiana Territory
Indiana Territory
The Territory of Indiana was an organized incorporated territory of the United States that existed from July 4, 1800, until November 7, 1816, when the southern portion of the territory was admitted to the Union as the state of Indiana....
, in 1804.
He moved to St. Louis, Missouri
St. Louis, Missouri
St. Louis is an independent city on the eastern border of Missouri, United States. With a population of 319,294, it was the 58th-largest U.S. city at the 2010 U.S. Census. The Greater St...
(then the District of Louisiana), and was appointed judge of the District of Louisiana in 1805.
He was appointed the first postmaster of St. Louis and served from January 1, 1805, to January 1, 1815. Bruce Adamson a great grandson of Rufus Easton wrote a book on Easton's life " Since 1985 Adamson has petition the postmaster general's office to have Rufus Easton placed on a postage stamp. For Which We Stand; The Life of Rufus Easton;" two of the chapters were written by professor William Foley. http://ciajfk.com/rufuseaston.html
Adamson points out that "he owes his existence to the fact that Thomas Jefferson's postmaster general in 1806: Gideon Granger talked Easton out of a duel with the first vice president Aaron Burr. Two years earlier Burr killed Alexander Hamilton. Easton built the first post office west of the Mississippi in St. Louis at 3rd and Elm near where the St. Louis Arch rests today."
In 1815 Edward Bates moved into the Easton home and studied law and became Easton's law partner and as a Delegate for the Territory ran the Easton law firm. Forty-five years later Bates would become Abraham Lincoln's first choice as Attorney General. In 1866 Bates' wrote to a descendant of Easton, "that he still lives in my memory today," even though Easton had died in 1834.
Rufus Easton was elected a Delegate from the Territory of Missouri
Missouri Territory
The Territory of Missouri was an organized incorporated territory of the United States that existed from June 4, 1812 until August 10, 1821, when the southeastern portion of the territory was admitted to the Union as the State of Missouri.-History:...
on September 17, 1814, and served until August 5, 1816. Adamson points out "As a Congressman for the Territory Rufus Easton was responsible for the creation of 14 post offices in the territory...Easton holds the distinction of passing the first bill through Congress for federal aid in a natural disaster. The New Madrid Earthquakes in which an after shock lasted an hour."
Rufus Easton unsuccessfully contested the election of John Scott
John Scott (Missouri politician)
John Scott was a Delegate and a U.S. Representative from Missouri.Born in Hanover County, Virginia, Scott moved with his parents to Indiana Territory in 1802.He was graduated from Princeton College in 1805.He studied law....
, for the succeeding term.
Upon the organization of the Missouri state government in 1821, Easton was appointed attorney general and served until 1826.
He engaged in the practice of law and in the real estate business.
He died in St. Charles, Missouri, July 5, 1834.
He was interred in the Lindenwood College, Cemetery. Lindenwood College was founded by his daughter, Mary Easton Sibley
Mary Easton Sibley
Mary Easton Sibley was an early American pioneer and educator.-Early Life:Mary Sibley was born in Rome, New York on January 24, 1800, the daughter of Rufus Easton and Alby Smith Easton. She was the first of eleven children for the Easton family...
. Alton, Illinois was named after his son, Alton Easton.
Adamson wrote: Bates' wrote on behalf of Easton's son Langdon C. Easton who was Chief Quartermaster of General William T. Sherman's 100,000 army. Langdon was Brevet Major General after Langdon's brother Alton wrote to his friend U.S. Grant to promote his brother's position. The brothers Langdon and Alton Easton during the Civil War were in charge of more than 155,000 Union troops. Alton, Illinois is named in Alton's honor 'the first white American born in 1807 in the Louisiana Territory. Alton and Langdon's cousin married Major General Alexander Jackson Smith who himself was in charge of 12,000 troops. Grant thought so highly of A.J. Smith he placed him in charge of the surrender of Vicksburg."
Easton taught law on the frontier not only to Edward Bates, but to Charles Lucas
Charles Lucas (Missouri)
Charles Lucas was an entrepreneur and legislator in Missouri Territory who was killed in a duel with U.S. Senator Thomas Hart Benton.-Early life:...
who was killed on bloody island by Senator Thomas Hart Benton, among his pupils was Joshua Barton
Joshua Barton
Joshua Barton was the first Missouri Secretary of State and was involved in three duels with prominent Missouri politicians before being killed in a duel....
.