He was a member of a prominent family of journalists in 19th century Raleigh, North Carolina.
During the Reconstruction era he often referred to the United States flag as a rag.
Gales once came to his home using an alternate route, in order to keep from passing under the flag.
Following his death in 1842, the father of Seaton Gales, Weston R., continued its publication.
His older brother, Thomas Cameron Gales, entered the tobacco business as a young man, before going to New York City in 1902.