Nathan B. Gaston

Source: From The Portrait and Biographical Album of Rock County, Wis.,

Publ, 1889 - page 529, 530

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 working 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. GSATON 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.

Submitted By Carol