Born in Tolland, Connecticut, he was educated in the common schools and by private instruction.

He moved to Columbia, South Carolina to engage in mercantile pursuits, then returned to Tolland, studied law, and was admitted to the bar in 1837, and began practice there.

He was chief judge of the city court of Hartford in 1863 and 1864, and from 1867 to 1872, and was a delegate to Democratic National Convention from Connecticut in 1864 and 1868.

[2] Appointed as a Democrat to the United States Senate to fill the vacancy caused by the death of William A. Buckingham, Eaton served from February 5, 1875, to March 3, 1875.

Eaton resumed the practice of law until he died in Hartford, on September 21, 1898 (age 81 years, 345 days).