Gaston, James McFadden, 1824-1903

James McFadden Gaston (1824-1903), Confederate surgeon and physician from South Carolina, left the United States immediately after the Civil War and settled his family in Brazil where he practiced medicine in the city of Campinas. After almost two decades, Gaston returned with some family members to Atlanta, Ga., and re-entered American medical life, teaching at Southern Medical College, publishing articles, and conducting research. Gaston's son, James McFadden Gaston (1868-1946), was also a physician and surgeon. From 1908 until 1936, the younger Gaston and his wife, Annie Bunn Gay Gaston, worked as a medical missionaries in Laichowfu, China, under the auspices of the Foreign Mission Board of the Southern Baptist Convention. In 1936, they returned to the United States and retired in Deland, Fla., where Gaston was involved in local church activities, especially the No Liquor League.

From the description of James McFadden Gaston papers, 1852-1946. WorldCat record id: 23848647

James McFadden Gaston (1824-1903) was a Confederate surgeon and physician from South Carolina. He organized medical services while serving as Chief Surgeon of South Carolina Forces and later as Divisional Surgeon General of the South Carolina Volunteers during campaigns in Virginia and Pennsylvania, which included the battles of Manassas and Gettysburg. Immediately after the conclusion of the Civil War, Gaston left the United States and settled his family in Brazil where he practiced medicine in the city of Campinas. After almost two decades, Gaston returned with some of his family to Atlanta, Ga., where he successfully re-entered American medical life, teaching at the Southern Medical College, publishing articles, and carrying out research. He died in 1903.

Gaston's son and namesake, James McFadden Gaston (1868-1946), was also a physician and surgeon. Little is known about his practice of medicine in the United States beyond the fact that he worked with his father in private practice as well as at the Southern Medical College. From 1908 until 1936, under the aegis of the Southern Baptist Convention's Foreign Mission Board in Richmond, Va., the younger Gaston and his wife, Annie Bunn Gay Gaston, worked as medical missionaries in Laichowfu, China, at the Mayfield-Tyzzer and Kathleen Mallory hospitals. In 1936, he and his wife returned to the United States and retired in Deland, Fla., where he was involved in local church activities, especially the No Liquor League. He died in 1946.

From the guide to the James McFadden Gaston Papers, 1852-1946, (Southern Historical Collection)