Eaton Reunion, 1926
Hamilton Spectator
July 15, 1926
Grew First Peaches
While the Eatons have established traditions east of Hamilton,
the Vanduzens have made history in the west. Before the war of 1812, they
brought the first sawmill and grist mill machinery through that section
of the country. They remained at the Eaton home for a few weeks as the
roads were impassable, and then went on to the mill site at Mount Albion.
Wooden pins were first used to in the construction of the mill, but after
the battle of Stoney Creek the Vanduzens made nails on their own forge
out of the gun barrels which were picked up from the battlefield.
Twenty years later John Vanduzen moved to Grimsby, and it is believed,
grew the first peaches in the district. He and his son carried on the
first nursery and fruit growing in Grimsby, and his descendants are still
engaged in this work.
One of the best known descendants of John Eaton is W. O. Sealey, a
great grandson, who lives at 61 Hunter street west, Hamilton. He was the
Liberal candidate for federal honors on five occasions, and was in parliament
from 1908 to 1911, when he was defeated on the reciprocity issue. He was
one of the eighteen Canadians selected by the government in 1911 to represent
Canada at the coronation at Westminster Abbey. He was, until the war,
in the timber trade., exporting enough lumber to Scotland to build half
the ships in the Clyde.
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