James B. Gaston

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.

James B. Gaston
Personal details
Born	(1893-10-25)October 25, 1893 Gainesville, Georgia, U.S.
Died	June 29, 1958(1958-06-29) (aged 64) Wilson, North Carolina, U.S.
Political party	Republican
Spouse	Elizabeth Sligh Greneker ​ ​ (m. 1923)​
Children	1
Alma mater	University of Georgia

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%