[p. 871] proprietor of the Gaston Poultry Farm, situated in Shenango Township, is a member of a family that was one of the earliest among the white settlers in Lawrence County. Mr. Gaston was born April 6, 1847, in Shenango Township, Lawrence County, Pennsylvania, and is a son of James and Mary (Walker) Gaston.
James Gaston, the grandfather of John S., purchased the farm which the grandson now owns, and in the latter's possession is the old sheepskin deed, conveying the land to James Gaston from Robert Semple and wife, under date of September 10, 1805. James Gaston was a farmer and stock raiser, and the old log house in which he lived and reared his family is still standing. There his son James was born, in 1812. The latter died in 1896, aged eighty-four years. When he married he moved to the Sheets farm, in Shenango Township, on which he lived several years, and until late in the fifties lived on various farms in this neighborhood. Then he bought the interests of the other heirs in the home estate, and here he continued farming and stock raising through the remainder of his active life. In politics, first a Whig, he later became a Democrat, and on the ticket of that party served as school director and as supervisor. He was married (first) to Mary Walker, and (second) to Margaret Lockhart, of Pulaski Township. His first wife was a member of the Center United Presbyterian Church. With his second wife, he was a member of the congregation of the First Presbyterian Church, of New Castle. His children were of his first union, namely: Sarah, who is the widow of Kenneth Moore, of Youngstown, Ohio; Walker, who resides at New Castle; Harvey, who is deceased; William, who lives in Shenango Township; John S.; Prentice, who resides at New Castle; and Ellen, who is the wife of William McConnell, of New Castle.
John S. Gaston was reared in his native township, and attended school through boyhood, and then learned the trade of blaster, which he followed until 1895, when he opened the Gaston Hotel, at New Castle. He conducted that popular house for nine years, and then returned to the farm, taking possession July 5, 1905. He embarked in the poultry business and has made it a very profitable investment. He ordinarily keeps about 300 hens and raises 1,000 young chickens, having improved poultry quarters and operating along the most modern lines in this industry.
Mr. Gaston married Angeline White, a daughter of Matthew White, of Butler County, and they have had eleven children, all of whom survive, with one exception. Pearl is the wife of George Beatty, of Shenango Township. Della is the wife of Albert Beck, of Sharon. Mary Lunetta is the wife of John H. Richards, of Granite City. Margaret is the wife of Edward L. Hagerty. Ella, Tempa, Enta, Robert Lyle, John Somerville, Jr., and George Lamoree are all at home. Tempa and Enta are twins. Mr. Gaston, with his family, belongs to the Baptist Church. In politics he is a Democrat, voting with his party in national affairs, but claiming independence in local matters.
20th Century History of New Castle and Lawrence County Pennsylvania and Representative Citizens Hon. Aaron L. Hazen Richmond-Arnold Publishing Company, Chicago, Ill., 1908
Previous Biography | Table of Contents | Next Biography
Explanation/Caution | Lawrence Co. Maps | Lawrence Co. Histories
Updated: 17 Jan 2002