Thomas Jefferson Eaton (1840-1906) Papers (KC0033)

Dr. Thomas Jefferson Eaton, a physician and noted chemist of early Kansas City, was born in Circleville, Ohio, in 1840.  He served during the Civil War as a hospital steward in the 114th Ohio Regiment at Vicksburg, Pittsburg Landing, and Port Gibson.  He graduated from medical school at Michigan University.

In 1868 he opened a drug store in Baldwin, Kansas, and later became professor of natural sciences in Baker University there.  In 1875 he came to Kansas City and went into the drug store business at 817 Main.  He was one of the organizers and first president of the Kansas City Pharmaceutical Association.

Dr. Eaton was on the first faculty of the Kansas City Medical College, formerly the College of Physicians and Surgeons.  He was one of the organizers of the Kansas City Academy of Science in 1875.  He was president of the Jackson County Medical Society for one term.  He was a Mason and a member of the G.A.R.

Dr. Eaton is credited with being one of the first, if not the first, chemists in this part of the country to furnish by analysis, proof of murder by strychnine.  After his analysis of the city’s drinking water from the Kaw River, the water works pumping station at Quindaro was closed.  He also invented Lactopiptine, a food digestive.

Dr. Eaton died at the home of his son-in-law, Dr. Edward L. Chambliss, in Kansas City, on July 18, 1906.  He was buried in the family lot in Elmwood Cemetery.

The papers include a bound formulary used by Dr. Eaton for reference in preparing various drugs, potions, and remedies.  Some of the recipes are handwritten, while others are on newsprint or in small pamphlets.  Many of the formulas include citation to their sources.  The papers also contain information on the Eaton, Chambliss, Brodie, and Fowler families, including a biography of Joseph E. Chambliss.  ca.1870-ca.1947.

two folders.

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updated: Tuesday, March 21, 2006
Western Historical Manuscript Collection-Kansas City
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