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Note: James P. East was born at the Big Hill, Jackson County, in the year 1829, Jan. 15th. He wa s the son of Thomas and Delilah East. Thomas East was a native of France, emigrating to thi s county when a small boy. He settled in what is now Jackson County in about 1818. Mr. East's facilities for receiving an education were very limited, being raised in this cou ntry at that early date, when schools were hardly thought of, and in Mr. East's own words boy s had something else to do. The subject of this sketch was married to Miss Narcissa S. Whitso n, Nov. 9th, 1853. To this union they have had born to them nine children, of which there ar e six living, three boys and three girls, viz.: James Singleton, John Jefferson and George He nry; the girls are Amanda Caroline, Adora Ann and Delilah. Mr. East has lived the life of a farmer in the same neighborhood in which he first saw the l ight of day. He was formerly a Republican, but in the last presidential election his convicti ons were that he was on the wrong side, ad he cast his first vote for the Democratic cause, v oting for Samuel J. Tilden. He has raised and owned a great many fine horses, some of which h e has sold at fancy prices. The celebrated trick horse "Grand Tower," now owned by the renown ed showman, Dan Rice, was raised by Mr. East.--HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY, ILLINOIS - 1878
"Thomas J. East, father of John East, owner of the Grand Tower Free Press, thought seriousl y of adopting the acrobatic profession for his business. He became quite good, he could easil y vault over 4 or 5 horses. Perhaps it will be of interest while writing in this connection t o state that the highest price that was paid for a horse in G.T. Township was paid by the abo ve mentioned Dan Rice Circus to James East (uncle of Thomas J. East) for a horse raised and t rained on the breeding farm of James East. "Mr. James East followed the profession of horse breeding and owned a large farm. The hors e alluded to was a large white stallion that Mr. East had named Dan Rice in honor of the circ us man. When Dan Rice Circus played here a few years later, Mr. Rice heard of the horse, he s ought Mr. East and when he saw the horse he at once became attached to him and purchased him . It has been stated that the price paid was between $800 and $1000. "This was at that time a race track here and horses from all over the state were brought her e and raced. Mr. East had a fine string of horses and won many races. The above mentioned Jam es East was the grandfather of Leonard East, one of the engineers at the light plant and th e great uncle of John East, owner and editor of the Free Press."-- The History of Grand Tower , Jackson County, Illinois, Grand Tower Free Press, Grand Tower, Illinois, Fri. Dec. 17, 1926, Henr y C. Crow, Staff Writer for G. T. Free Press
Will of James P. East--"I, James P. East of the township of Grand Tower in the County of Jac kson and State of Illinois, of the age of sixty-two years and being of sound mind and memory , do make, publish and declare this to be my last will and testament in the manner following ; that is to say. First, after paying all my debts and funeral expenses, I give to my wife Narcissa S. East on e third of all my real and personal property, moneys, and credits. Second, to Delila S. Anderson, Amandy Dray, and Dora A. Crow, my daughters, and to the child ren of my son, James Singleton East, now deceased, named as follows, Juliaann East, James Dan iel East, and Bertha East, the share to which their father would have been entitled, the bala nce of the property to be divided equally among those heirs. Third, that my sons John Jefferson East and George H. East are not to have any share in an y real or personal estate moneys or credits as they have been provided for in my former deed s of real estate. And lastly, I do hereby nominate and appoint my wife Narcissa S. East and my son John J. Eas t without bond to be the executors of this my last will and testament, hereby revoking all fo rmer wills made by me. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this the Eighth day of July A. D. 18 91 James P. (his X mark) East The above instrument consisting of one page was at the date thereof signed sealed publishe d and declared by the said James P. East as and for his last will and testament in presence o f us who at his request and in his presence and in the presence of each other have subscribe d our names as witnesses thereto. M. W. Baysinger, Residing in Grand Tower, Illinois T. W. Jenkins, Residing in Grand Tower, Illinois"
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