Horace Eaton graduated from Middlebury College and subsequently taught at Middlebury Academy. He furthered his education in medicine, joining his father's practice after graduating from Castleton Medical College. Eaton transitioned into public service, serving in the Vermont Senate and as Lieutenant Governor and Governor of Vermont. He also held the position of the first Superintendent of Public Instruction in Vermont and taught chemistry and natural history at Middlebury College.

Horace Eaton's political identity is marked by an intriguing blend of progressive education reform and staunch anti-slavery positions. His opposition to the admission of slave states and the Mexican War reveals a principled stand against expansion of slavery. Eaton's establishment of the state Superintendent of Public Instruction role and his tenure in that position illustrate a commitment to educational advancement, yet his broader policy positions remain conceptually conservative. This juxtaposition of progressive educational initiatives with reactionary social policies creates a compelling tension in Eaton's political philosophy.