Arthur Mac Arthur Eastman was a firearms manufacturer, promoter of a direct Atlantic cable.
Background
Arthur Mac Arthur Eastman was born on June 8, 1810 in Gilmanton, New Hampshire, United States. He was the son of Ebenezer and Deborah (Greeley) Eastman. His ancestry was distinguished: his grandfather, Ebenezer, served conspicuously as a lieutenant in Stark’s brigade at the battle of Bunker Hill; his grandmother, Mary Butler Eastman, was the heroine of B. F. Taylor’s poem, “Mary Butler’s Ride, ” which describes one of the romantic episodes of the Revolution; his father was a major of militia.
Education
He was educated at Gilmanton Academy.
Career
He began his business career as a clerk in the country store of Stephen L. Greeley and later opened a store on his own account at Gilmanton.
In 1837 or shortly thereafter he moved to Boston, where he engaged with but indifferent success in the wholesale iron trade, and later in company with his brother did a large wholesale grocery business.
In 1844 he commenced the manufacture of woolen underwear at Roxbury, Massachusetts, and while engaged in this business acquired interest in a patent spinning-jenny which he took to England in 1849 and disposed of for a handsome sum to English manufacturers. With the outbreak of the Crimean War, Eastman turned his attention to the manufacture of munitions. Securing the patent for an improved breech-loading cannon, he sold it at a large profit to the British government.
Foreseeing that the American Civil War would be a long one and learning that the country was especially deficient in cavalry equipment, Eastman bought up large quantities of old arms and made them over into carbines, which, with the expansion of the cavalry force, found a ready market at remunerative prices.
About 1869 Eastman planned the enterprise which was to be the great work of his life, the laying of a direct ocean cable between Europe and the United States. The difficulties in his way were great. Not only was it necessary to raise $6, 500, 000 in gold, but also to overcome at every step the powerful opposition of the Anglo-American, the Western Union and the French companies. Securing a charter from New' Hamp shire and permission from the federal government, Eastman went to Europe, where he was well and favorably known, and there, after five years of tireless effort, he obtained the necessary funds.
The American end of the new cable was laid at Rye Beach, New Hampshire, in July 1874 with elaborate ceremonies, and it was in full working order in the next year. It provided the first competition from this country with the Anglo-American Telegraph Company. Overwork in connection with the cable project undoubtedly hastened Eastman’s death, which followed a three weeks’ illness.
Achievements
Eastman turned his attention to the manufacture of munitions. Securing the patent for an improved breech-loading cannon, he sold it at a large profit to the British government.
In addition to the carbines he furnished other arms to the Federal government, and at the conclusion of the conflict continued to manufacture largely for foreign nations, contracting, in particular, with the French government for carbines.
Politics
Late in life he became interested in politics, serving as colonel on the staff of Gov. Weston in 1872 and as a member of the New Hampshire constitutional convention of 1876.
Membership
He became a member of the New Hampshire constitutional convention of 1876.
Personality
He has been described as a man of great judgment and tact “whose appearance at once arrested attention”.
Connections
He married in 1836 Elizabeth H. Moulton of Gilmanton, who with two daughters survived him.
