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John Henry Eaton (1790-1856) was an American politican of Nashville, Davidson County, Tennessee. He was born near Scotland Neck, Halifax County, North Carolina on June 18, 1790.
He was a Democrat Lawyer. He served in the U.S. Army during the War of 1812. He was a member of Tennessee state house of representatives, 1815-16. He was U.S. Senator from Tennessee, 1818-21, 1821-29. He was United States Secretary of War, 1829-31. He was Governor of Florida Territory, 1834-36. He was United States Minister to Spain, 1836-40.
He was a Freemason. He resigned from Cabinet in 1831 over a scandal concerning his second wife, Peggy. He died in Washington, D.C, November 17, 1856. He was buried at Oak Hill Cemetery, Washington, D.C. Eaton County, Michigan is named for him. See also: congressional biography.
