WILLIAM LOUGEAY GASTON. Among the citizens of union township, whose names are indissolubly associated with its history and general progress, is this well known gentlemen. His early ancestors were natives of France, whence one Samuel Gaston emigrated to this county many years ago. He located in Washington county, Penn., on a tract of 350 acres, where his life was passed, he dying at about eighty years of age; he was buried in Mingo cemetery. He was twice married, and reared a large family of children. He was a member of the Presbyterian Church. William Gaston, son of Samuel Gaston, was born in 1808, in Gastonville, Union township, Washington county, and attended school in the log schoolhouse of the period. He was married to a Miss Morrison, who bore him two children, and died in 1834. Mr. Gaston was a member of the I.O.O. F., and in politics voted with the Democratic party; in religious faith he was a Presbyterian. He gave his children a good education. He was a generous, kind-hearted, fine looking man, and a friend to every one alike. He died in 1884. Maj. James M. Gaston, son of William Gaston, was born in 1832, in Gastonville, Washington county. He attended the common schools, and then entered Washington and Jefferson College. In early life he married Matilda Ensell, of Pittsburgh, Penn., a daughter of Edward Ensell, who was of English descent. Mr. And Mrs. Gaston resided in Lawrence county, Penn., for a short time after their marriage. He was a farmer by occupation, and during the latter part of his life was a sawyer and lumberman. Their children were as follows: Mary P., living in Gastonville; Ida S., wife of John McChain; Haddie B.; Edward, deceased in infancy, and William Lougeay. The father entered the Civil War as a volunteer, and served three years in the First Pennsylvania Cavalry; he was wounded three times, once at the battle of Gettysburg, and being taken sick while in the service, returned home to Washington county. Politically he was a Democrat, and in religion a member of the Methodist Church. He died September 8, 1885, in his fifty-sixth year. William Lougeay Gaston was born April 15, 1861, in Gastonville, Penn. He received his education in the common schools of his native village, and attended Duff's Commercial College, Pittsburgh. Beginning life without capital, Mr. Gaston has secured a snug property, having successfully engaged in the lumber, sawmill and farming business, and is now conducting a butchery. In political opinion he is a Democrat. On Sept 16, 1885, he was united in marriage with Emma, daughter of Frank P. Scott, MD, of Monongahela, and she has borne him two children: Myrna and Scott. Mr. and Mrs. Gaston are members of the Presbyterian Church. For ten years he resided at Gastonville. At present he is resident of Finleyville.

Text taken from page 835 of: Beers, J. H. and Co., Commemorative Biographical Record of Washington County, Pennsylvania (Chicago: J. H. Beers & Co., 1893). Transcribed September 1997 by Cathy Cadd of Redmond, WA as part of the Beers Project. Published September 1997 on the Washington County, PA USGenWeb pages at http://www.chartiers.com/.

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