- NATHAN B. GASTON, the pioneer manufacturer of Beloit, who
is known and honored
- throughout Rock County as one of its most worthy citizens,
was born near Auburn, N.Y., on the 17th day of March, 1810. His
father, James GASTON, was a soldier in the War of 1812, and his
mother, whose maiden name was Lydia IRISH, was one of a family
of fifteen children, twelve daughters and three sons, born to
the Rev. David IRISH, a Baptist minister and pioneer preacher
near Auburn. Neat that city Mr. GASTON and his wife were united
in marriage, after which they began their domestic life upon
a farm, but subsequently removed into the city, where the husband
engaged in the livery and stage business. There were born unto
them six children, who reached mature years, namely: Norman L.,
who studied medicine, and became a prominent physician, located
first at Etna, N.Y., and later became a resident of Delavan,
Wis., but his death occurred in the former place several years
ago; Nathan B., of this sketch, is the next in order of birth;
Laura is the wife of Caleb BARTHOLEMEW, of Etna, N.Y.; Edwin
R. and Edmund D. are also residents of Etna; and Charles A. is
living in Auburn. In his political sentiments Mr. GASTON was
a Whig, and greatly admired Henry Clay and Daniel Webster, two
of America's greatest statesmen. He was an active and consistent
member of the Baptist Church for many years, and toiled early
and late in the work of that denomination, giving his time and
means for the building up of the cause. His good wife, who passed
to her rest in August, 1864, was also a member, and an untiring
worker in the church. In her death the society to which she belonged
lost one of its most useful members, and one who cheerfully did
what she could that the Redeemer's cause might prosper.
- Nathan B. GASTON at an early age was apprenticed to the trade
of a gunsmith, and later work-
- ing under the instructions for one year, in order to become
familiar with the tools, started out to battle with the world.
Going to Rochester, N.Y., he secured employment at making gun
locks, and resided in that city one year, when he went to Albany,
in 1832, there passing the five succeeding years of his life.
In the meantime he became acquainted with and married Miss Amelia
C. TILLINGHAST, the ceremony which united their destinies being
performed Feb.. 8, 1835. The lady is a daughter of J. L. TILLINGHAST,
who at the time of her marriage was State Librarian. On account
of his wife's health Mr. GASTON was advised to leave the city
and remove to Genesee County, N.Y., where he engaged in farming
for a year. That length of time sufficed to convince him that
he was not fitted for the life of an agriculturist, and again
returning to Rochester he once more found employment. While in
that city the death of his wife occurred, Oct. 9, 1842, in Yates
County, where the family were then residing. She left one child,
Maria, who grew to mature years, and became the wife of Nicholas
THORN, a resident of Delavan, Wis., where she died in November,
1865.
- On the 29th day of August, 1844, Mr. GASTON was married to
Miss Ann Eliza BATTIN, a
- cousin of his former wife, and a daughter of Augustine J.
BATTIN. The wedding journey of this worthy couple consisted of
a trip to the far West. On the day of their marriage they started
for Wisconsin, and became residents of Rock County when but one
house marked the site of what is now known at West Beloit. Mr.
GASTON built the first manufacturing establishment in the city,
and can truthfully be called its pioneer manufacturer. No man
has been more active than he is close attention to his business
interests for forty-four years, and by good management and economy
he has accumulated a comfortable competence. When the historian
entered the works he found Mr. GASTON busily employed, and remarking
on the fact received the reply that "it is better to wear
out than rust out." In all his labors and plans he has been
foremost in putting his shoulder to the wheel, bearing in mind
the maxim of Ben Franklin, "If you wish a thing done well,
do it yourself."
- Mr. and Mrs. .GASTON are the parents of seven children, as
follows: Anna, the eldest; Augustine
- J., a member of the firm of N. B. GASTON & Son; Minnie,
who became the wife of Harry EASTON, of Chicago, died in Beloit,
Aug. 31, 1878; Kate, wife of Arthur BROWER, a traveling salesman,
of Chicago; Thomas E.; Theo. Irving; and Bessie, wife of James
J. WISE, of Minneapolis, agent of the Occidental Oil Company.
In his political affiliations Mr. GASTON is an inflexible adherent
to the doctrines and principles of the Republican party. He cast
his first Presidential vote for W. H. Harrison in 1840, and in
1888 voted for the Hon. Benjamin Harrison, his grandson. He attended
the State Convention at Syracuse, N.Y., which body sent its representatives
to the National Convention which nominated the Tippecanoe hero.
Religiously, Mr. GASTON is an Episcopalian, having been confirmed
at Ithaca, N.Y., in 1842, by Bishop De Lancey. His excellent
wife is also an active worker in the church. For the long period
of nearly half a century Mr. and Mrs. Gaston have been citizens
of Rock County, dating their residence in Wisconsin back to its
Territorial days. At the time of their arrival the whole Territory
contained not one fourth as many inhabitants as now populate
Rock County. The first pioneers on the wild and unsettled prairie
could hardly have imagined, much less realized, that rapid growth
and progress which has been made, and the wonderful work of development
which has been carried on. Rock County owes a debt of gratitude
to the faithful band of men and women who have so faithfully
and earnestly labored in her behalf, placing her in the front
rank in this great commonwealth, and on the roll of honored pioneers
should be written in bold an prominent characters, the name of
Nathan B. GASTON, the first manufacturer of Beloit.
-
- Taken from "The Portrait and Biographical Album of
Rock County, Wis." (c)1889, pp. 529-530.
-
- Courtesy of Carol
|