The Ashton Family of Allen County, Ohio

WILLIAM ASHTON, dealer in real estate, Lima, was born June 7, 1821, in Lincolnshire, England, a son of Francis Ashton, a contractor for bricklaying, plastering and masonry in England. Francis Ashton was born July 6, 1796, and was thrice married, his first wife (to whom he was married when but eighteen years of age) having died without issue. He was married on the second occasion to Elizabeth Mackinder, born September 17, 1796, and by this union had nine children, five born in England: William, Charles, Edwin, Christopher and Francis, all now residents of Lima, save Charles, who resides in Guthrie County, Iowa; four in Ohio: Eliza, now the wife of John Bowles; Henry, a lieutenant in the army during the late civil war (he was married to Sarah Lewis, and left three children); J. R. and Ruth (latter deceased in infancy). Francis Ashton, subject’s father, came to America in 1831, and after visiting New York, Pennsylvania. New Jersey, Ohio and Michigan, returned to England. The following year (1832) he returned with his family, buying land in Richland County, Ohio, where he first settled, but subsequently purchased 200 acres of land in Allen County, moving to the latter county in 1854, and there died March 25, 1882. Our subject was married, August 10, 1844, to Sally O., daughter of Samuel Holmes, and by this union has one son, Francis, now engaged in the machinery and holding business at Rochester, Ind. Mr. Ashton at one time carried on a hardware store at Kenton, and was also engaged in the same business in Lima, with his brother Francis. He sold his interest to W. K. Boone, and embarked in banking business at Rochester, Ind., but after a time returned to Lima, where he has since been interested in real estate.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

EDWIN ASHTON, physician and druggist, Lima, was born in Lincolnshire, England, July, 1826; his parents were Francis and Elizabeth (Mackinder) Ashton, who immigrated to the United States in 1832, and settled in Richland County, Ohio, in November of that year. Previous to that time, the father had followed the brick-laying and stone-mason trade, but in settling in this country, he located on a farm and reared seven sons in agricultural pursuits. In 1854 the parents removed to Lima, where the mother died in 1869, the father in March, 1882. To them were born ten children: Christopher, who died in early childhood, William, Charles, Edwin, Christopher, Francis, Eliza, Henry, John R. and Ruth Ann. The latter died in early childhood, in Lima; Henry died in 1880. The subject of this sketch received his education in the district school and the Academy of Ashland, Ohio. Studied medicine under Drs. Benschooter and Bevier, at Plymouth. Ohio, and the Cleveland Medical College, and began the practice of his profession in Kenton, Ohio, in 1851, remaining there until the fall of 1884. when he removed to Lima, and entered the drug business, in which he is still engaged. He was united in marriage in 1856. with Miss Sarah J., daughter of Evan Hughes. To them have been born live children: one that died in infancy, RuthH., Emma J., William A. and Charles.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

CHRISTOPHER ASHTON, farmer, P. O. Lima, is a native of England, born in the village of Einton, Lincolnshire, August 5, 1828, and in 1832, was brought by his parents, Francis and Elizabeth (Mackender) Ashton, to America. They * (the parents) settled in Richland County, Ohio, where they remained a few years, and then moved to Hardin County, Ohio, and in 1858 came to this county, where they died. Our subject came from Hardin County, Ohio, to this county, in 1872, and purchased a farm in German Township, on which he still resides. He was married, in 1850, to Susan Throne, of Richland County, Ohio, a native of York County, Penn., born January 15, 1832, and daughter of Michael and Susannah Throne, who both died in Richland County, Ohio. To our subject and wife were born seven children: Lewis J., Ann M. L., Mary V., Francis M., William Me., Charles E. and Elizabeth, all now living, except Elizabeth. Mr. Ashton is a Democrat in politics.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

FRANCIS ASHTON, a retired business man of Lima whose portrait accompanies this sketch, was for many years largely interested in the grocery and lumber industries of this city. He is a son of Francis and Elizabeth (Mackinder)

Ashton, and was born March 9, 1831. in Lin-

Mr. Ashton came to America in early boyhood and received his education in the State of Ohio. His first business venture was at Kenton, Ohio, where he and his brother, William Ashton, engaged in the hardware line. This was continued until 1854, when he came to Lima and opened a hardware store, which he conducted alone for about 15 years. - Soon after retiring from this work, Mr. Ashton became interested in the grocery business, his partner being John Wheeler. The firm of Wheeler & Ashton was continued five years, when Mr. Wheeler retired and his place was taken by Henry Ashton, another brother of our subject. F. & H. Ashton conducted the business very successfully until 1880, when Francis Ashton became associated with Thomas R. Dobbins and opened a lumber-yard on South Main street. Here they soon worked up a prosperous trade, which was continued until Mr. Ashton’s retirement from business in the latter part of the ’80’s.

Mr. Ashton was married in 1856 to Mary Lantz and the following children have blessed their union: Elizabeth, wife of Charles Dunan, of San Francisco, California; Annie, wife of R. M. Hughes, with the MacDonald Jewelry Company of Lima; John R., of Lima; Hattie B., wife of Frederick J.

As printed in the source². Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

J. R. ASHTON, dealer in machinery, Lima, was born October 20, 1837, in Richland County, Ohio, the youngest son of Francis and Elizabeth Ashton, natives of England. Francis Ashton came to America in 1831, traveling through New York, Pennsylvania and Ohio. He then returned to England, but in 1832, accompanied by his family (having then five sons), came back to Ohio, and purchased land and settled in Richland County, where he remained until 1852, when he came to Allen County, his family then numbering seven sons and two daughters. He gave his children the advantages of the best schools of the day, and they now occupy respectable positions in life, and are all residents of Lima, except Charles, who resides in Guthrie County, Iowa. Mr. Ashton was a highly respected and honorable man, looking not only to his own family’s interests, but to the good of the community. Our subject was educated in the common schools of the county, and moved to Lima with his parents. He enlisted during the late civil war, August 12, 1862, and was assigned to Company A, One Hundred and Eighteenth Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and afterward transferred to Company I, of same regiment; was detailed to duty in hospital department, and subsequently promoted to hospital steward, remaining with his regiment until it was mustered out of service at Salisbury, N. C., June 24, paid off at Cleveland, Ohio, July 9, and reached home July 13, 1865. Mr. Ashton was married, October 25, 1866. to Margaret E. Clippinger, by whom he had one son, Edwin, who died in infancy. Mrs. Ashton died March 25, 1872, and our subject was again married, November 25, 1874, this time to Mary C. Melhorn, by whom he has two children: Harry M. and Paul.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.