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Joseph James Gaston (1929)

BUELL, GASTON, HUNTINGTON, KIRK, STANFORD

Posted By: Treva Patterson
Date: 6/22/2007 at 14:26:07

The Winterset Madisonian
Winterset, Iowa
Thursday, November 28, 1929
Page 1

Death of Joseph J. Gaston

Joseph J. Gaston, for many years an implement dealer of Winterset, died early Monday morning, November 25th at his home on West Court avenue. Mr. Gaston had been in poor health for over a year, and only last week bronchial pneumonia developed causing his death. "Uncle Joe" as he was familiarly called by many people in Winterset and Madison county, was 86 years of age and he would have observed his 87th birthday had he lived until December 22nd.

The deceased was born in Athens county, Ohio, December 22, 1842, his father being the Rev. James E. Gaston, pastor of the Christian church (his mother-Sarah Kirk Gaston). He spent his boyhood days in his parents home in Ohio and in Illinois. When he was seventeen years of age he entered Abingdon college at Abingdon, Illinois. Later he was a student in the Eureka college in Illinois.

In the fall of 1865 Mr. Gaston went to Des Moines, but after spending a few months there went to Council Bluffs where he lived for several years. He was in business there, but his health broke down and for one year he worked on the Union Pacific railroad. He then secured a tract of wild land in Polk county. In 1876 he came to Madison county and entered the employ of William Hedge, an implement dealer, with whom he remained for seven years. He then engaged in the same business as senior partner in the firm of Gaston, Ainsworth company, until 1894, when he sold his interest and established a farm implement business independently. After a year he admitted W. F. Smith to a partnership and they continued together in business for eleven years. At the end of that time, Mr. Gaston retired from active business and had since devoted his entire time to dealing in real estate and in the care of his farms.

Mr. Gaston was married to Miss Martha Stanford of Des Moines on November 10, 1872. They were the parents of two children, Will of Marshalltown, who was born in 1874 and Miss Beulah of Los Angeles who was born in 1879. Mrs. Gaston died in 1881. On the 8th of April 1886, he was married to Eleanor E. Huntington of Des Moines.

Since 1886 Mr. Gaston had been a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and he was a member of the Evening Star Lodge, A.F. & A.M. and of the Order of Eastern Star. He was also a member of the Presbyterian church.

Mr. Gaston had many friends in Winterset and Madison county. Since his retirement from active business he had ample time to mix with his fellowmen and the stories and good natured jokes of Mr. Gaston will long be remembered in this community. He was fortunate in having good health and he and Mrs. Gaston took several long trips together. He read extensively and could converse on any subject. During his last illness his mind remained clear and he enjoyed visiting with his friends.

The Rev. Paul Main Fowler, pastor of the Presbyterian church will conduct the funeral services at Tidrick's funeral home, Friday afternoon, November 29th at 1:30 o'clock and burial will be made in the Winterset cemetery. Mr. Gaston is survived by his wife, one son, Will of Marshalltown, and a daughter, Miss Beulah of Los Angeles, California. He also leaves two grandchildren, Martha and Joseph Gaston of Marshalltown and Mrs. Jessie Buell of Brooklyn who made her home with the Gastons for a number of years.
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The Winterset Madisonian
Winterset, Iowa
Thursday, November 28, 1929
Page 2, Column 4

Mortuary

Joseph J. Gaston

Joseph J Gaston was born at Athens, Ohio, December 22, 1842. His father, Rev. James E Gaston, assisted Alexander Campbell in the organization of the Christian church. He resided in many places in Ohio, Indiana and Illinois, as in those days preachers of most denominations frequently moved to different places. He attended rural schools and later was a student at Abington college.

In 1861 his active life began and the energy which characterized him as a boy was always manifest during his long business career. His first line of industry included freighting over the route from Omaha to Denver. He helped construct the Union Pacific Railroad and afterward engaged in the drug business in Council Bluffs. This later business was not congenial and his health failing he moved to Polk County, Iowa, where he engaged in the implement business. This business he followed with great success till 1906, when he retired.

It is probable that few businessmen of Winterset were more generally liked all over the county or who met with such uniform success. After retiring from the implement business, he dealt considerably in real estate; he bought a number of farms and sold them, to by others, and met with the same success as in the former business. One of the well-known residences on court Avenue was directed by him when in the implement business, and was his home at the time of his death.

Mr. Gaston was twice married. His first wife was Mabel Stanford, whom he married in 1872, and who died in 1879. Two children were born: Beulah, who for many years has resided in California, and William J., of Marshalltown. In April, 1886, Mr. Gaston was married to Miss Eleanor Huntington, a native of Wyoming county, New York. There were no children by this union, but their home for many years was chaired by the presence of Jesse Huntington, a niece of Mrs. Gaston, who lived with them till her marriage to Mr. Buell, of New York, where she still resides.

Mr. Gaston was republican from the organization of the party till he died. He was of the radical wing of the party and later days. He was a witness of the Douglas-Lincoln debates at Galesburg, Illinois and many were the anecdotes he was accustomed to relate relative to that memorable occasion. He especially wanted to attend the anniversary event of a short time ago, but was unable to attend.

Mr. Gaston was good company at any gathering. He was interested in all of the affairs of the city and County, and whatever character of the meeting, was the life of the occasion. He was an odd fellow, a Mason, a charter member of the Historical Society and with his wife was always present at the meetings of the Anniversary club, of which they were both members.

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