Gaston, Orves R. 1867 - 1931

GASTON, MOREHEAD

Posted By: Doris Hoffman, Volunteer (email)
Date: 7/5/2012 at 20:47:19

Note: The gravestone spells the first name Orves.

O. R. Gaston, a. former well-known resident of Plymouth county, residing at 821 Nebraska street, Sioux City, Ia., died in a hospital In that city Saturday morning, following an operation, after a week's illness caused by an Internal malady. For more than thirty years Mr. Gaston had been an employee of the International Harvester company at Le Mars and Sioux City.

Orvis R. Gaston was born in Savanna, Illinois, April 8, 1867, where he received his education and grew to young manhood. When nineteen years of age he came to Plymouth county and engaged in school teaching in the rural districts.

It is recalled of him by a number of his pupils at that time that in the big blizzard which raged on January 12, 1888, his thoughtfulness and resourcefulness probably saved a number of lives. The storm came up suddenly in the afternoon of that day. Mr. Gaston was teaching in an isolated school house a few miles from Akron, in the hills. The ferocity of the raging wind and blinding snow was such that Mr. Gaston. kept the children In the school house all night, while he and the older boys formed a chain from the school building to the coal shed and brought in sufficient fuel for the night. The next morning fathers and brothers of the children were on hand to dig out the snow in which the building was almost completely covered.

Mr. Gaston subsequently conducted the general store at Adaville, this county, and gained a wide acquaintance. He was married to Miss Ella Morehead, of Adaville, in 1888. Later they moved to Le Mars where Mr. Gaston became a representative of the International Harvester company.

While a resident of Le Mars Mr. Gaston was active in community and lodge circles. He was secretary of the Le Mars Commercial club for some time, a prominent Mason and Shriner, exalted ruler of Le Mars lodge of Elks and a member of the United Commercial Travelers’ association. He was of a genial and social disposition and gained many friends.

Mrs. Gaston died February 28, 1926. Mr. Gaston, after leaving Le Mars, made his home in Sioux City. He was married in 1927 to Mrs. Clarice Hartman of Maryville, MO. He is survived by his wife and two daughters, Mrs. J. B. Perry, Mrs. Alma Sanford, of Sioux City.

Funeral services were held Monday afternoon at the First Presbyterian Church in Le Mars. Dr. J. J. DePree the pastor, officiating. Burial services at the cemetery there were conducted by the Masonic order. The pallbearers were associates of the company for which the deceased was representative for so man years.

Akron Register Tribune
Thursday, January 22, 1931
Akron, Iowa