Harper's Encyclopedia of United States History
Benson Lossing, Ed.

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Eastman, Harvey Gridley, 1832-

Educator; born in Marshall, Oneida co., N. Y., Oct. 16, 1832; after attending the common schools of his neighborhood, completed his education at the State Normal School at Albany; and at the age of twenty-three opened a commercial school at Oswego, N. Y., having been a teacher in a similar school kept by his uncle in Rochester. In that school he first conceived the plan of a commercial or business college. On Nov. 3, 1859, Mr. Eastman opened a business college in Poughkeepsie, with a single pupil. In 1865 there were more than 1,700 students in the college. It was the first institution in which actual business was taught. Mr. Eastman was a very liberal and enterprising citizen, foremost in every judicious measure which promised to benefit the community in which he lived. He was twice elected mayor of the city, and held that office at the time of his death, in Denver, Col., July 13, 1878. On the day of his funeral the city was draped in mourning and nearly all places of business were closed, for he was eminently respected as a citizen and as a public officer.