Athelston Gaston

biography

GASTON, ATHELSTON, representative, was born in Castile, N.Y., April 24, 1838; son of Edmund W. and Phylinda (Bristol) Gaston; grandson of Ebenezer Gaston; great-grandson of David Gaston, both born at old Stockbridge, Mass., and a descendant of Dr. Alexander Gaston who was born in Ireland in 1714. The family originally emigrated from France to Ireland during the Huguenot persecutions. At the age of sixteen he removed to Pennsylvania, where he received a common school education and then engaged in farming until 1873, when he became a manufacturer and dealer in lumber. He was mayor of Meadville, Pa., in 1891, and again in 1892-95. He was president of the Cassadaga Lake Free association at Lily Dale, N.Y., 1888-99. He was a Democratic representative from the 26th Pennsylvania district in the 56th congress, 1899-1901, having also the endorsement of the People's party.

The Twentieth Century Biographical Dictionary of Notable Americans: Volume IV