Henry Smith Van Eaton (September 14, 1826 – May 30, 1898) was an attorney, politician and military officer, reaching the rank of captain in the Confederate Army.

When the American Civil War broke out, he enlisted in the Confederate States Army and served throughout the country, earning the rank of captain.

In 1887, Van Eaton was appointed to the Board of Visitors to the United States Naval Academy at Annapolis by President Grover Cleveland.

He was appointed to another patronage position in 1888, serving as a member of a commission to examine and report upon the last completed portion of the Northern Pacific Railroad.

This article incorporates public domain material from the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress