California Biographies

Transcribed by Peggy Hooper

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

Source:
History of the state of California and biographical record of the San Joaquin 
Valley, California. An historical story of the state's marvelous growth from 
its earliest settlement to the present time.
Prof. James Miller Guinn , A. M.
The Chapman Publishing Co., Chicago 1905
Notes: Missing Page: 865-866,983-984,1175-1176


OSCAR H. EASTIN. The family with which Oscar H. Eastin is connected is one prominent in 
the agricultural life of California, his father, Octavius C. Eastin, having been for many years 
an extensive grain raiser. At one time owning in Madera county eighteen hundred acres of 
wheat land, at the present time he has in his possession seven hundred and fifty acres which 
he has rented. A native of Madison county, Ky., he is the son of James Eastin, who was in turn 
the son of Reuben, all of whom were farmers. Octavius C. Eastin married Lucy J. Hope, also a 
native of Kentucky, and in 1833 removed to Missouri, making their home in that state until 
1854, when he, with his family, crossed the plains for California. Locating first in Calaveras 
county he engaged in mining, and later met with considerable success in the dairy and sheep 
business. In 1879 he removed to Madera county and farmed south of Madera, cultivating 
his property of eighteen hundred acres. Now in his seventy-third year he has retired from the 
active cares of life and is making his home with his son, Oscar H., of this review. An influential 
man in the community where he has made his home for so many years, he enjoys the esteem 
and confidence of all who have known him in the past. An honor paid him was the naming of 
the Eastin school district for him. 

A native son of the state, Oscar H. Eastin was born in Calaveras county, February 26, 1865, 
but was reared to manhood upon the paternal ranch in Madera county. In September, 1903, 
he located on his present property, which consists of eleven and a half acres of land just west 
of Merced, while he also cultivates thirty acres which he rents, this entire amount being devoted 
to alfalfa, fruits, especially berries, and a dairy. In addition to this property he -also owns other 
land in Madera county. He married Rissa Moffett, a native of Sonoma county, and the daughter 
of Henry Moffett, of Tennessee, who came to this state among the early pioneers. Mr. and Mrs. 
Eastin are the parents of three children, namely : Ralph, Ethel and Naomi. In his political preferment 
Mr. Eastin is like his father, a Democrat, and is prominent in local affairs. He was one of the five 
commissioners appointed by Governor Markham to act as officers of Madera county when it was 
separated from Fresno county. A man of intelligence and great personal worth, Mr. Eastin is recognized 
as one of the substantial citizens of the community.