Ira Allen EASTMAN, Congress, NH (1809-1881)

EASTMAN, Ira Allen, (nephew of Nehemiah Eastman), a Representative from New Hampshire; born in Gilmanton, N.H., January 1, 1809; attended the local schools; was graduated from Dartmouth College, Hanover, N.H., in 1829; studied law; was admitted to the bar in 1832 and commenced practice in Troy, N.H.; returned to Gilmanton in 1834 and continued the practice of law; clerk of the State house of representatives in 1835; member of the State house of representatives 1836-1838, and served as speaker in 1837 and 1838; register of probate from 1836 to 1839; elected as a Democrat to the Twenty-sixth and Twenty-seventh Congresses (March 4, 1839-March 3, 1843); chairman, Committee on Revisal and Unfinished Business (Twenty-seventh Congress); was not a candidate for renomination in 1842; judge of the court of common pleas 1844-1849; associate judge of the supreme court 1849-1855; judge of the superior judicial court from 1855 to 1859; chosen trustee of Dartmouth College in 1859; unsuccessful Democratic candidate for Governor in 1863 and for United States Senator in 1866; resumed the practice of law; died in Manchester, N.H., March 21, 1881; interment in Valley Cemetery.

Source: Biographical Directory of the United States Congress, 1771-Present