Ed Gaster

GASTER, RATZLAFF, ADKINS

Posted By: Volunteer Transcriber
Date: 3/5/2007 at 21:21:17

Biographies from the 1914 "Past and Present of O'Brien and Osceola Counties of Iowa"

ED GASTER.

Among the men of the younger generation in Osceola County who are taking their part in the life of the community is Ed Gaster, the present postmaster of Ashton. Although he has been a resident of the county only about twenty years, yet such has been his life since coming to this county that he has become recognized as an influential citizen of his town and community. He is guided by correct principles of conduct, and with the business ability which he has shown since becoming a resident of Ashton, it is safe to conclude that in the years to come he will be numbered among the prosperous men of his home town.

Ed Gaster, the son of F. W. and Susan (Ratzlaff) Gaster, was born in Pierce, Nebraska, April 30, 1885. His father was born in Wisconsin in 1850, while his mother was a native of Germany, her birth occurring in 1855. F. W. Gaster and wife were married in Nebraska and later moved to Yankton, South Dakota, where he followed his trade as a brick and stone mason. From Yankton the family moved to Sioux City, Iowa, where they lived five years. In 1895 they moved to Ashton, where they are now living. They are the parents of seven children, all of whom are living in Ashton: Henry, Louise, Ed (whose history is here presented), Frank, Mrs. Anna Adkins, Will and Alice.

Ed Gaster was educated in the schools of Sioux City and Ashton, coming to the latter city with his parents when he was ten years of age. After leaving the school room he commenced to work in a general mercantile establishment in Ashton and clerked there for twelve years. In 1910 he was appointed postmaster of Ashton and has been filling that position since that time. In addition to serving as postmaster he also conducts a novelty and confectionery store, and has his full share of the trade in his particular line of business. Two rural routes are served from Ashton and make daily trips through the surrounding country.

Mr. Gaster is a Republican in politics and has always been interested in the affairs of his party. He is a wide reader of current events and keeps well informed on the main issues of the day. He is a member of the German Lutheran church and is a liberal supporter of that denomination. He is still unmarried and lives with his parents. Mr. Gaster is a young man on the threshold of life, and his career so far justifies the predictions of his many friends that he will, eventually become one of the substantial men of his community. He lives a clean and wholesome life and is faithful to every duty which has been thrust upon him, and for this reason he enjoys the confidence and esteem of all who have been associated with him in any capacity.

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