James B. Gaston

James B. Gaston
Personal details
Born(1893-10-25)October 25, 1893
Gainesville, Georgia, U.S.
DiedJune 29, 1958(1958-06-29) (aged 64)
Wilson, North Carolina, U.S.
Political partyRepublican
Spouse
Elizabeth Sligh Greneker
​
​
(m. 1923)​
Children1
Alma materUniversity of Georgia

James Bostwick Gaston (October 25, 1893 – June 29, 1958) was an American businessman and politician from South Carolina. He was a president of the Greenville Spinners, and was known for being a Republican in South Carolina during the period of the Solid South.

Early life

Gaston was born on October 25, 1893, in Gainesville, Georgia.[1] He attended college at the University of Georgia, where he played baseball.[1] He moved to Greenville, South Carolina, in 1942 and became manager of the Greenville Spinners.[1]

Political career

Gaston ran for office as a Republican in 1944 for the U.S. Senate, losing to Olin B. Johnston.[2] He served as Greenville County Republican chairman.[3] He would unsuccessfully run for the House in 1948, losing to Joseph R. Bryson.[4]

Personal life

He married his wife, Elizabeth Sligh Greneker,[1] on December 24, 1923. He died on June 19, 1958, in Wilson, North Carolina, aged 64.[1]

Electoral history

South Carolina U.S. Senate Election, 1944
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Olin D. Johnston 94,556 92.94% −5.95%
Republican James B. Gaston 3,807 3.74% +2.63%
Progressive Democratic Osceola E. McKaine 3,214 3.16% N/A
Republican (Tolbert) B.L. Hendrix 141 0.14% N/A
No party Write-Ins 18 0.02% N/A
Majority 90,749 89.20% −8.58%
Turnout 101,736
Democratic hold
Year Republican Votes % Democratic Votes %
1948 James B. Gaston 894 5.1% √ Joseph R. Bryson 20,439 94.9%

References

  1. ^ a b c d e "Jimmy Gaston Dies Suddenly; Ex-Spinn Head". The Greenville News. 1958-07-01. p. 3. Retrieved 2024-02-17.
  2. ^ "South Carolina Republican Ticket, 1944". The Press and Standard. 1944-11-02. p. 2. Retrieved 2024-02-17.
  3. ^ "James B. Gaston, U.S. Senate candidate in1948". The Greenville News. 1948-04-07. p. 2. Retrieved 2024-02-17.
  4. ^ "Gaston Candidate on GOP Ticket". The State. 1948-08-05. p. 10. Retrieved 2024-02-17.