In the political world, in literature, in the legal profession, monuments have arisen in testimony of his toil.

As a lawyer his successes have been such as have been vouchsafed to but few.  The word success is applied both where it ought to be applied and where not deserved.  Gaining great wealth, distinguished professional standing, extensive political renown, pre-eminence in other avenues may be, or may not be, in the highest sense, success.  Most men of strong points are sadly deficient in other and essential traits needed to constitute a well-biased, grandly-rounded life.  It is rare, indeed, that a person is encountered possessing such well-proportioned, evenly-balanced, distinguishing characteristics as it has been Mr. Gaston’s lot to enjoy.

His steady, onward march over the rough places and up the hill in his learned profession abundantly attest his greatness.  No being can occupy, nor even approach, the very foremost rank in the legal arena save he be great.  Of all representatives of human experiences the lawyer, and more particularly the advocate, has the least opportunity to occupy falsely a position of real prominence.  Advocacy is the most jealous of mistresses.  Undoubtedly it is true that nowhere else must there be ever present and ever ready to respond at a moment’s notice such a happy combination of those qualities already noted.

It is not long ago that one of the most worthy of Boston’s Judges remarked to the writer:  “You can count the really excellent advocates at the Suffolk Bar upon the fingers of both hands.”  He began by naming the subject of this sketch, following with the names of Honorable A.A.  Ranney, Honorable William G. Russell, Honorable Robert M. Morse, Jr., and others.  The learned Judge must, it seems, have had in mind a very high standard of advocacy, for there are not a few among the something like two thousand Boston lawyers who have well earned, and justly, the right to be called able and eloquent.

In his historical article entitled “The Bench and Bar,” by Erastus Worthington, and contained in the “History of Norfolk County, Massachusetts,” after writing of those eminent advocates, Ezra Wilkinson and John J. Clarke, he refers to Governor Gaston and Judge Colburn in the following words:  “The successors to the leadership of the bar, after the retirement of Mr. Wilkinson and Mr. Clarke, were William Gaston of Roxbury, and Waldo Colburn of Dedham.  Mr. Gaston was not admitted to practice in this county, but he studied law with Mr. Clarke, and practiced in this county for many years, and considered himself a Norfolk lawyer.  He was an eloquent and successful advocate and had an excellent practice.  He had removed to Boston prior to the annexation of Roxbury.

“Mr. Colburn practiced in Dedham until he was appointed an Associate Justice of the Superior Court in 1875.  He attained a high position in his profession as a wise counsellor, an able trier of causes, and a lawyer in whose hands the interests of his clients were always safe.”