Cyrus S. Eaton

Early Life

Cyrus S. Eaton was a man of many things. An investment banker, business mogul, philanthropist and advocate for peace,the Canadian-American sure had a lot going on for him.

Eaton was born in 1883 in Pugwash, Nova Scotia as the son of Joseph Howe Eaton, a farmer. Besides farming, his father, Joseph Howe Eaton, ran a small general store and the district post office.

Eaton also grew up with an uncle, Charles Aubrey Eaton, who was a prominent Baptist minister. During his stay with his uncle, Eaton was introduced to Mr. and Mrs. John D. Rockefeller Sr., whom he became his protégé after Rockefeller hired the young Eaton to be a messenger in Rockefeller’s private telegraph room.

Education

Along the line, Cyrus S. Eaton left Nova Scotia in 1899 to attend Woodstock College, a Baptist-affiliated prep school in Woodstock, Ontario. He later enrolled at McMaster University, a Baptist university, then located in Toronto, where he studied philosophy and finance, intending to enter the Baptist ministry. Eaton earned his bachelor of arts degree in 1905 with a major in philosophy.

Career

In 1905, Eaton relocated to the United States to pursue his career and achieved great success as a financier and industrialist. On his arrival to the US, Eaton worked for the East Ohio Gas Company, associated with John D. Rockefeller

With diverse interests spanning railroads, steel, coal, oil, banking, and utilities, Eaton established himself as a prominent figure in the business world in 1907. Throughout his life, Eaton championed cooperation and friendship between nations, notably between the United States and the Soviet Union.

He actively supported international organizations such as the League of Nations and the United Nations, while also opposing the nuclear arms race. In 1957, he took a significant step towards global disarmament by sponsoring the inaugural Pugwash Conferences on Science and World Affairs.

These conferences united scientists from various countries to discuss the dangers of nuclear weapons and explore possibilities for disarmament.

Eaton’s commitment to fostering dialogue and understanding among nations earned him recognition and accolades. In 1960, he was honored with the Lenin Peace Prize for his exceptional efforts in promoting peace and harmony. Even in his later years, Cyrus S. Eaton continued to contribute to society and advocate for peaceful resolutions to global conflicts.

Personal Life

Aside from being a remarkable businessman, Eaton was also a family man. He was married twice. Eaton’s first marriage was to Margaret House, whom he married in 1907. Sometimes in 1957, Eaton got remarried to Anne Kinder Jones. Eaton had seven children from the two marriages.

Cyrus S. Eaton passed away in 1979 at the remarkable age of 95, leaving behind a legacy of business success and tireless dedication to promoting cooperation and peace among nations.