L. U. Gaston, Chief of Police of Bartlesville, Washington county, Oklahoma, was born in Neosho, Kansas, October 13, 1873, a son of James Monroe and Laodicea (Smith) Gaston, both of whom were natives of Illinois.
His father was a farmer of Kansas and followed that occupation to the time of his death, which occurred in 1877. His wife died in 1895.
Mr. Gaston attended the public schools of Neosho county, Kansas, during his early boyhood and when his school days were over he engaged in the livery business, which he followed for a few years. He then removed to St. Louis, Missouri, remaining there until 1908, when he came to Bartlesville, Oklahoma. A short time after his arrival in the latter city he joined the police force as patrolman but resigned from the position two years later. However, in the spring of 1917 he was appointed chief of police and has since held this position, rendering valuable service to the citizens of Bartlesville. He was recently instrumental in suppressing the movies of the Tulsa riot, his action meeting with the approval of the general public. He has a force of eighteen men under him, who are alert and energetic and who are prepared to meet any emergency that might present itself.
Mr. Gaston has been married twice. In 1895 at Erie, Kansas, he married Miss Lulu Hudson, and to them was born a daughter, Nellie E., now the wife of R. H. McCullough of Okmulgee. The wife and mother passed away in 1899 and two years later, or in February, 1901, in St. Louis, Missouri, he wedded Miss Katherine Post. They have one child, Mabel, who is in the eighth grade in school.
Mr. Gaston belongs to several societies, these including the Masons, the Elks and the Knights of Pythias. He also is a Homesteader, a member of the Knights and Ladies of Security and a Rotarian. Mr. Gaston is an efficient official, upon whom the citizens of Bartlesville can safely rely and is an ardent advocate of the city, intending to continue to make it his home.