Ventura County Biographies

L. F. Eastin

Submitted by Sandy Neder

This file is part of the California Genealogy & History Archives
http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~cagha/index.htm

  
L. F. Eastin, the county clerk of the county of Ventura, is one of the best 
known and well-informed men in the affairs of the county, having acted as a 
clerk from its organization to the present time. He was born November 8, 1845, 
in Lexington, Lafayette County, Missouri. His father, James W. Eastin, was a 
Kentuckian, born January 7, 1821. The ancestors of the family came from Ireland 
early in the history of the country. He came to California August 20, 1847, 
settling at Sutter's Fort. From there he went to Sonoma and engaged in the 
mercantile business, and in the time of the gold excitement became a miner. In 
1850 he settled on a farm in Santa Clara County, where he is still resident. Mr. 
Eastin's mother, nee Rebecca A. Pine, was born in Tennessee, August 19, 1811, 
and died March 15, 1883. Of their five children three are living. A brother, 
John W. Eastin, was born in San Francisco October 9, 1848, the first child both 
of whose parents were "Americans" born in that city.
    The subject of this sketch graduated at the University of the Pacific, in 
Santa Clara County, in 1866, and followed farming with his father until 1868, 
when he was appointed Deputy County Clerk of that county under John B. Huston, 
serving two years under him, and a second term of two years under J. M. 
Littlefield. In May, 1873, when the county of Ventura was organized, he was 
requested by telegraph to come and take charge of the office of this county, and 
everything in connection with the records of the county feel under his 
supervision, and the manner of keeping and preserved the records has devolved 
upon him. During the years 1875-'76 he served the county as Under-Sheriff, 
appointed by John R. Stone. In 1883-'85 he practiced law and dealt in 
real-estate and lent money; and in 1886 he was again elected County Clerk, and 
in 1888 re-elected, and he now holds the office. He is a Democrat, and generally 
runs ahead of his ticket in the elections. He has aided in the establishment of 
the fine library of Ventura and has been one of its trustees; and he has also 
held the office of Court Commissioner two years. He is a member of the blue 
lodge, chapter and commandery; has been Secretary of the blue lodge and Master 
several years, and since 1876 has been Secretary of the Chapter. He is also a 
member of the A. O. U. W., and of the Catholic Church; his parents were members 
of the Christian Church.
    Mr. Eastin was married July 19, 1874, to Miss Fanny Sutton, who was born in 
Canada April 12, 1850, and they have three daughters and two sons, all born in 
San Buenaventura, namely: Mary A., Fanny R., Ruth, Charles P. and George 
Russell. Charles is attending school at Los Angeles.
 
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY OF THE COUNTIES OF SANTA BARBARA, SAN LUIS 
OBISPO, AND VENTURA, CALIF. by Ida Addis Storke, 1891, p 646