Gaston, Arthur B.

ARTHUR B. GASTON was born near the Genesee river in Allegany county, New York, December 7, 1843, and at the age of ten years accompanied his parents to Crawford county, Pennsylvania, where he grew to manhood amid the active duties of farm life. His early educational advantages were such as the common schools afforded, but later he increased his knowledge by attendance at the Meadville Academy and Edinboro Normal School, in both of which institutions he spent several terms. Having early manifested a strong liking for telegraphy, he began studying the same in 1863, at Linesville, Pennsylvania, and the following year was intrusted with an office on the Atlantic and Great Western, now the New York, Pennsylvania and Ohio railroad, with which company he continued about sixteen years as operator and agent at various places on the line.

During his period of service he became a very skillful operator, securing several important promotions, and was recognized as one of the trusted employes of the road. In 1881 he abandoned his profession, and in partnership with his younger brother, F.D. Gaston, engaged in the lumber business at Utica, where the firm still continues a large and lucrative lumber, mercantile, and stock business, being among the substantial business men of Venango county. Mr. Gaston is a liberal and public- spirited citizen. He was originally a Republican, but having always been a strong advocate of temperance reform is now an ardent Prohibitionist. He has been a Mason since 1873, and is an active worker in the A.O.U.W., belonging to the lodge at Atlantic, Crawford county. Mr. Gaston married Miss Hannah J., daughter of James and Sarah McMaster, of Crawford county, Pennsylvania, a union blessed with six children: Winnie; Sarah P.; James E.; Harold; Mattie, and Donald, deceased.