USA > Iowa > Webster County > Fort Dodge > History of Fort Dodge and Webster County, Iowa, Volume II > Part 6
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Thomas Ashton, whose name introduces this review, was a lad of five years when he accompanied his parents to the United States in 1851. He grew to manhood in Plymouth and Ann Arbor, Michigan, and vicinity, attending the public schools in the acquirement of an education. When a youth of eighteen he ran away from home to enlist for service in the Civil war, becoming a private of Company I, Fifth Michigan Cavalry. He was present at the evacuation of Petersburg and witnessed the surrender of Lee at Appomattox. When hostilities had ceased he returned to Michigan and there followed farming for about four years. In 1870 he came to Fort Dodge, lowa. and secured employment as a farm hand in Humboldt county, while subsequently he worked on a farm in Palo Alto county. In June, 1872, he returned to Fort Dodge and entered the grocery establish- ment of D. K. Lincoln. In that line of activity he has remained to the present time. For the past twenty-eight years he has been en- gaged in business in association with his brother, James B., and the firm has not only enjoyed an extensive and profitable trade but also an unassailable reputation for integrity and straightforward dealing. The Ashton Brothers carry a large line of staple and fancy groceries and are at all times in a position to meet the demands and wishes of their customers.
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On the 26th of September, 1876, Mr. Ashton was united in mar- riage to Miss Lorena L. Martin, a native of Mineral Point, Wis- consin, where the wedding ceremony took place. Her parents, Henry and Mary Ann (Lanyon) Martin, who were born in England, be- came early settlers of Mineral Point, Wisconsin. Henry Martin, who was a coal, lead and gold miner, passed away when about seventy-eight years of age. His wife was seventy-two years of age when called to her final rest. Their children were as follows: Lorena, Mrs. Mary Ellen Jones and James H. Martin. To Mr. and Mrs. Ashton have been born six children, as follows: Robert Henry. Blanche Agnes, Frederick Walter and three, who died in infancy.
Mr. Ashton is a stanch republican, supporting the men and meas- ures of that party at the polls. He belongs to Fort Donelson Post, No. 236, G. A. R., and was chosen commander of the same for the year 1912. He is widely and favorably known in Fort Dodge and Webster county and the circle of his friends is almost coextensive with the circle of his acquaintances.
JAMES B. ASHTON.
James B. Ashton, a member of the grocery firm of Ashton Brothers in Fort Dodge, was born at Ann Arbor, Michigan, on the 16th of December, 1855, and was reared in that city and vicinity. He ob- tained his education in the public schools of Ann Arbor and when in his thirteenth year began working on a farm by the month, being thus employed for a number of years. On the 7th of August, 1879, he came to Iowa, located in Fort Dodge and here clerked in a grocery store until the spring of 1882. At that time he went to Monarch, Colorado, where he clerked for one year and then embarked in busi- ness on his own account. In August, 1884, he returned to Fort Dodge and on the Ist of September, following, engaged in the gro- cery business in association with his brother Thomas ;. As above stated, the brothers have remained in business here continuously since and have won a gratifying and well merited measure of prosperity.
On the 9th of December. 1885, Mr. Ashton was united in marriage to Miss Leila O. Jones, a daughter of A. W. and Cordelia (Walker) Jones. To them have been born two children: Clay B., who died at the age of two years ; and James W., whose birth occurred in 1892. The mother is a devoted member of the Meth-
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odist Episcopal church. Mr. Ashton gives his political allegiance to the republican party and has served as city councilman for three terms. His worth is widely acknowledged by those who know him and he has the favorable regard of a large circle of friends.
JUDGE ROBERT MULLINS WRIGHT.
Judge Robert Mullins Wright, who since 1906 has occupied the bench of the eleventh judicial district, entered upon his professional career well equipped by thorough and comprehensive collegiate train- ing and in the interim since his admission to the bar has made con- tinuous progress until Iowa today numbers him among her dis- tinguished lawyers and jurists. He was born at Sheffield, England, November 1, 1844, and in both the paternal and maternal lines comes of English ancestry. His grandfather, Stephen Wright, born on the "Merrie Isle," was manager of an estate and to him and his wife, Matilda Wright, were born three children, Thomas, Stephen and Amy. The first named, born in England, was reared in Yorkshire and always followed farming. The agricultural opportunities of the new world, however, attracted him to America and in 1850 he crossed the Atlantic, taking up his abode near Lisbon, Kendall county, Illinois, where he remained for two or three years. He afterward removed to De Kalb county, where he passed away in 1882, at the age of eighty years. His wife survived him until 1887 and was seventy-nine years of age at the time of her demise. She, too, was born in England, as were her parents, George and Sarah (Gilot) Mullins. Her father was a farmer by occupation, thus providing for the support of his family, which numbered six children, including Robert, George, and Mary. The daughter Mary became the wife of Thomas Wright and for many years they traveled life's journey happily together, He was originally an Episcopalian in religious belief and she a member of the Congregational church, but after settling in Illinois in early days, they identified themselves with the Methodist denomination, which was the pioneer church of that state, continuing their connection with that faith until their death. In community affairs Mr. Wright was somewhat prominent, holding a number of township offices, and at all times his record measured up to high standards of manhood and citizenship. His family numbered five children, of whom the eldest. George, is deceased. Ann was the wife of William Cutts. She died
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at Shabbona, De Kalb county, Illinois, in September, 1912. Wil- liam was a soldier of the Civil war and was killed at the battle of Resaca. Robert M. was the next of the family. Juliana is the wife of James Spaulding, an old soldier, living near Ruthven, Iowa.
Judge Wright was but five years of age when brought to the United States and remained upon the home farm in De Kalb county, Illinois, until he entered college. He supplemented his preliminary education by a course in the University of Michigan, from which he was graduated with the degree of Bachelor of Arts in 1871, while the honorary degree of Master of Arts was conferred upon him in 1874. In early manhood he devoted five years of his life to teaching school and during the last four years of that period was principal of the high school in Fort Wayne, Indiana. In July, 1876, he arrived in Fort Dodge and entered upon the practice of law here in that year, having prepared for the bar by private study at a former period. He has ever remained a close and discriminating student of the pro- fession, reading broadly and mastering the principles of jurisprudence in large measure. He continued in active practice until 1906, when he was elected judge of the district court and is still upon the bench. His decisions are models of judicial soundness and are based upon. a thorough understanding of the points presented, a comprehensive knowledge of the law and an appreciation of the equity of the case. He has not only been active in administering the law but also has taken part in framing acts which have found their way to the statute books of the state, for in 1882 he was a member of the state legisla- ture, during which period he voted for the submission of the pro- hibitory amendment to the state constitution concerning intoxicating liquors and also at that time voted in favor of woman suffrage. In 1904 he was once more chosen to represent his district in the state legislature and again in 1906. He has served on some of the most important committees in the legislature, of several of which he was chairman, including the committee on constitutional amendments. He has been a stalwart republican since the organization of the party. His father was greatly opposed to slavery and Judge Wright held to the same views. Indeed, throughout his entire life he has been the opponent of any unjust domination and he stands for much that is progressive, holding to the ideal of party service for the many rather than for the few.
On the 27th of August, 1872, Judge Wright was married to Miss Elizabeth Fowler, a daughter of James and Mary Fowler. Mrs. Wright was born in Aurora, Illinois, while her parents were natives
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of Ireland and of Scotch-Irish descent. They also held to the Prot- estant faith. After living for a time in Canada they came to the United States, settling in Aurora, Illinois, but spending their last days in De Kalb county, Illinois, where Mr. Fowler passed away at the age of eighty-two years and his wife when seventy years of age. They were the parents of six children: John, who died in the Civil war; Robert, whose death occurred in Illinois about three years ago; James, a Civil war soldier, who died at Denver, Colorado, in 1910; Mary Ann, unmarried; Mrs. Sarah Jane Howlitt, of Paw Paw, Illi- nois, a widow and formerly the wife of a Union veteran, who died several years ago; and Mrs. Wright. The last named died in 1889, at the age of forty-two years. She was a consistent Christian woman and held membership in the Methodist church. She became the mother of four children : Florence Eliza, who died when fourteen years of age ; Herbert Francis, who died when four years of age; Roberta, the wife of Walter Merryman, manager of the Messinger Printing Office; and Elizabeth Gilot, at home. On the 27th of August, 1890, Judge Wright married Miss Hattie Maria Leonard, who was born December 9, 1858, a daughter of Dr. P. M. Leonard, of Fort Wayne, Indiana. There is one son of the second marriage, Robert Leonard Wright, now a student in the University of Iowa. Mrs. Wright is a member of the Presbyterian church. Both Judge and Mrs. Wright have a wide acquaintance in Fort Dodge and this part of the state, where he has lived continuously for thirty-six years. He has ever held closely to a high standard of professional ethics and has been an able and conscientious minister in the temple of justice. His ideals of citizenship are high and in the relations of life which are of a more strictly social character he has displayed qualities which have ren- dered him popular wherever he is known.
ASAEL W. JONES.
Asael W. Jones, who is living retired at No. 1303 Fifth avenue, South, in Fort Dodge, has resided in this city for more than four decades and here conducted a blacksmith shop for fifteen years. Since disposing of his shop he has been engaged in the sale of agricultural implements. His birth occurred in Crawford county, Pennsylvania, in Randolph township, near Meadville, on the 4th of June, 1838, his parents being Joel and Sarah (Smith) Jones, the former a native of
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Sacket Harbor, New York, and the latter of Ware, Massachusetts. His paternal grandfather, Joel Jones, who participated in the Revo- lutionary war, was a native of Vermont and an agriculturist by occu- pation. Both he and his wife, who bore the maiden name of Sarah Sprague, lived to a ripe old age. Their children were six in number. The maternal grandparents of our subject were John and Sarah Smith, the former a native of Massachusetts and a farmer by occu- pation.
Joel Jones, the father of Asael W. Jones, was born in 1794 and reared in the state of his nativity. When a youth of eighteen he en- listed at Sacket Harbor for service in the War of 1812. He was married in Pennsylvania and in 1846 removed westward to Illinois, locating in La Salle county, twelve miles north of Ottawa, on the old Shabbona Indian trail. There he devoted his attention to farming and spent the remainder of his life, passing away at the age of sev- enty-eight years. His wife died three years later, when seventy-nine years old. Both were Methodists in religious faith. Mr. Jones held various township offices and was well educated, following the pro- fession of school teaching in early manhood. All of his children received a good college education. To Joel and Sarah (Smith) Jones were born the following children: V. B., who served as a Union soldier during the Civil war; Heppa Julietta; Sarasa Marilla; Sarah Ermina; Luther Alvera; Joel Adna, who also participated in the Civil war; and Asael Wadworth, of this review.
Asael Wadworth Jones was reared to manhood in Illinois and obtained his early education in the public schools of La Salle county. He then removed to Wheaton and spent four years as a student in Wheaton College. Subsequently he learned the blacksmith's trade, which he followed for many years. In 1870 he came to Iowa and throughout the intervening forty-two years has made his home in Fort Dodge. He successfully conducted a blacksmith shop here for fifteen years and then sold out, since which time he has been a sales- man in the service of a firm dealing in agricultural implements.
On the 17th of March, 1860, Asael W. Jones was united in mar- riage to Miss Cordelia A. Walker, a native of Ohio, the ceremony taking place on the eighteenth birthday of the bride. Her parents, C. W. and Keziah Walker, were also natives of the Buckeye state and became early settlers of Henry, Marshall county, Illinois. They came to Iowa in 1869 and passed away at Fort Dodge. Their children were seven in number, Cordelia, Orselia, Livona, Emma, Flora, Mary and Carrie. To Mr. and Mrs. Jones were born five children. Fred
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E., who is superintendent of the government telephone system at Phoenix, Arizona, wedded Miss Sarah Blaine, by whom he has five children, Harry E., Belle J., De Merritt, Maude and Bernice. Leila Orselia, who lives in Fort Dodge, is the wife of J. B. Ashton and the mother of one son, Jay. Joel Othello, deceased, was a telephone man. His widow, who bore the maiden name of Jennie Pace, resides in Webster City, Iowa, with her four children, Wilbur, Hazel, Dor- othy and Herbert. Minnie May gave her hand in marriage to E. H. Martin of Webster City, a telephone man. They have two sons, Fred N. and Glen. Delia Edith Jones is the other member of our subject's family. The wife and mother was called to her final rest in 1890, when forty-eight years of age, passing away in the faith of the Methodist church. Mr. Jones is a devoted member of that church. He has passed the seventy-fourth milestone on life's journey and enjoys the veneration and respect which should ever be accorded one who has traveled thus far on this-earthly pilgrimage and whose life has been at all times upright and honorable.
OLE C. HANSON.
Ole C. Hanson, manager of the Otho Mercantile Company, is numbered among the worthy native sons and representative citizens of Webster county and has for the past eight years served as clerk of Otho township. His birth occurred in Badger township in Decem- ber, 1883, his parents being Olaf and Ingeborg (Larson) Hanson, both of whom are natives of Norway. Emigrating to the United states, they took up their abode at Badger, Webster county, Iowa, in 1882. Olaf Hanson managed a store in Norway and after coming to this country acted as section foreman for the Minneapolis & St. Louis Railroad until about 1908, when he became paralyzed. In 1892 he took up his abode in Otho, where he still resides at the age of fifty- four years, enjoying an enviable position in the regard and esteem of his fellow townsmen. His wife has also attained the age of fifty- four years.
Ole C. Hanson was reared and educated in Webster county, at- tending school until twelve years of age. Being one of a large family of children, he was then obliged to provide for his own support and entered the general store of Dawson & Wonders at Otho, in which he remained for three years. Subsequently he spent four years in the
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employ of Dawson & Green and on the expiration of that period went to Kalo, where he worked in the general store of Mr. Apland for four years. At the end of that time he returned to Otho and accepted the position of manager with the Otho Mercantile Company, which office he has since retained, being also a stockholder of the concern. The continued growth and success of the establishment is attributable in large measure to the good judgment and capable management of our subject. In 1908 the company erected the large and handsome two-story brick building in which they have since conducted business, carrying an extensive and complete line of goods at attractive prices and being accorded an excellent patronage. Mr. Hanson owns a good and commodious home in Otho. He is a stockholder in the Farmers Elevator Company here.
On the 15th of June, 1904, our subject was united in marriage to Miss Barbara Ballantyne, a daughter of Sandy and Lizzie Ballantyne, natives of Scotland. They have two children, Ivan and Melva, who are seven and four years of age respectively.
Ole C. Hanson is a stanch republican. He has served as clerk of Otho township for the past eight years and at the present time is also acting as assistant postmaster of Otho, discharging his duties in both connections with signal promptness and ability. Fraternally he is identified with the Modern Woodmen of America, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Knights of Pythias. In religious faith he is a Methodist. He has already won a creditable place in business circles for one of his years and enjoys an extensive and favorable acquaintance in the county in which his entire life has been spent.
F. M. SPRINGER.
F. M. Springer, who is successfully engaged in farming in Webster county, is the owner of an excellent tract of one hundred acres, on section 34, Roland township. He was born in Stark county, Illinois, August 17, 1856, a son of David and Mary (Chandler) Springer. The father was born in Ohio and in his youth removed from that state to Illinois, where he resided until 1874, when he came to Iowa, settling near Paton, Greene county. In 1883 he came to Webster county and located on a tract of land on section 34, Roland township. He improved and cultivated this farm and resided there until his death which occurred in 1909. He was a successful farmer and
.
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stock-raiser, and became one of the substantial residents of this sec- tion of the country. His wife is now living on the old homestead. In their family were six children: James Harvey, who is deceased; F. M., the subject of this review; G. F., who is a farmer in Roland township; Elmer, who resides with his mother; Mrs. Christine Young of Fort Dodge, Iowa; and Ella, deceased.
F. M. Springer received his education in the common schools of Illinois and remained under the parental roof until he was twenty- one years of age. He then started out in life for himself and was employed for some time on a farm, but afterward returned home and remained there until he was thirty-two years of age. He then located on his present farm of one hundred acres situated on section 34 in Roland township. He has cultivated and improved this land until he now has an excellent homestead. He is engaged in general farming and stock-raising. He also owns one hundred and sixty acres of land near Redfield, South Dakota.
In Gowrie, Iowa, in 1879, Mr. Springer was married to Miss Lucy J. Smith, who was born in Sullivan county, New York. To this union one child was born, who died in infancy. Mr. and Mrs. Springer have one adopted son, Mark, who is eleven years of age.
In politics Mr. Springer is republican, and both he and Mrs. Springer are members of the Methodist Episcopal church, of which he is a trustee. Fraternally he is identified with the Modern Woodmen of America. He is progressive and energetic, and in all his social and business relations is recognized as a man of genuine worth, who has won the respect and esteem of all with whom he has come into contact.
CILARLES J. SWANSTROM.
One of the highly respected citizens and retired business men of Dayton is Charles J. Swanstrom, vice president of the Farmers State Bank, who for nearly twenty years was identified with the lumber interests of the town. He was born on a farm in the Linkoping dis- trict in central Sweden, his parents being John and Johanna ( Swen- son) Swanstrom, both of whom are now deceased. The father was for many years engaged in farming in Sweden, where he passed away. After his death the mother made her home with her daugh- ter, Mrs. Matilda Meline, who resided in Norrkoping, Sweden.
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Charles J. Swanstrom was reared at home and attended the schools in the vicinity of his father's farm, but a large portion of his educa- tion was acquired under the instruction of his mother, who had been given the advantages of good schooling. When fifteen years of age he began to learn the cabinet-maker's trade which occupation he followed until coming to America in 1868. In accordance with the law of the land he served, at the age of twenty, two years in the Swedish army. Not foreseeing any particular advantages or opportunities for advance- ment in his native land, and feeling convinced that he could find such in America, he left at the age of twenty-four the land of his birth and took passage for the United States. Upon his arrival in this country he went to Galesburg, Illinois, and there found employment in a carpenter's shop. Two months later he left there and went to Peoria, Illinois, where he followed various pursuits until 1871. In the spring of that year he came to Webster county and located in Dayton. He had very little means, but an abundance of energy and determination of purpose, and felt assured that he would meet with
success. He established a shop and followed the carpenter's trade with continuously increasing success until 1883. During that period he managed to accumulate sufficient means to enable him to engage in commercial activities, on a larger scale and, disposing of his shop he went into the lumber business. The reputation he had acquired for integrity and reliability proved to be an invaluable asset to him. and this together with his enterprising and energetic methods en- abled him to build up a thriving enterprise. The clear judgment and intelligence he manifested in the development of his business enabled him to extend his activities and at the time of his retirement in 1901, he owned two lumberyards in Dayton. One was located at the Min- neapolis & St. Paul station and the other at the Chicago & North- western. He is now one of the largest stockholders of the Farmers State Bank, of which he was one of the organizers. After they in- corporated he was elected second vice president and retained that office for five years, when he was made vice president and has ever since served in that capacity. In addition to this he owns a half in- terest in a fine farm in Lost Grove township, and extensive grain lands in Canada, while he has a beautiful residence property in Dayton.
In 1871, Mr. Swanstrom was united in marriage to Miss Helena Catharine Bliss, the event being celebrated in this city. Mrs. Swan- strom, who passed away on the 21st of December, 1898, was the daughter of a soldier in the Swedish army. Six children were born
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of this marriage as follows: Melvin, who died at the age of seven years ; George W., a traveling salesman living at Washington, Kan- sas; Gus Albert, living with his father, who married Alice Johnson of Dayton and has two children, Garrial and Bliss; Harry, also liv- ing with his father; Elmer, a partner in the Dayton Hardware Com- pany, who married Hilma Youngdell of this city; and Vera, who mar- ried Frank Donahey of Valley Junction, an employe of a Des Moines Shoe Company.
Mr. Swanstrom has attained high rank in the Masonic fraternity and belongs to the blue lodge of Dayton, commandery at Fort Dodge and Shrine at Des Moines. In politics he is a stanch republican. He has always taken an active interest in municipal affairs and served for ten years in the council and on the school board for twenty, retiring from the latter in the spring of 1911. Mr. Swanstrom is a man of many estimable qualities and by reason of his ability to dominate conditions and convert obstacles into opportunities has won the admi- ration of all with whom he has had dealings. He early learned that even in America success is not easily won, but must be the achieve- ment of unceasing diligence, the intelligent concentration of power and the determination of purpose, that will not recognize defeat. His career should be a source of inspiration to every ambitious young man, as the prosperity he attained is the result of his own unaided effort, no favorable circumstances or family influence having aided him in his early struggle.
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