Grundy County IL Archives Biographies.....Ashton, James 1831 - 
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File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Deb Haines ddhaines@gmail.com April 29, 2006, 3:59 pm

Author: History of Grundy County IL 1914

Ashton, James - Grundy County land has proven an excellent investment of both 
time and money, and those foresighted enough to secure farms before the price 
increased to its present quotations, have been able to acquire a desirable 
competency. One of the successful agriculturalists of Grundy County, now 
living retired at Morris is James Ashton. He was born in Delaware County, Pa., 
in September, 1831, a son of John and Elizabeth (Shaw) Ashton. John Ashton was 
born in England and in 1827 came to Pennsylvania where he worked in a factory 
until 1851. In the latter year he moved to Lisbon, Kendall County, Ill., and 
there bought a farm. He died on that place in 1872, being at that time the 
oldest member of the Odd Fellows' lodge in Morris.

James Ashton was brought up on a farm and received a common school education.  
Until his marriage, he lived with his parents, but following that event went 
to Nettle Creek Township and rented a farm for a few years. He then bought two 
farms comprising 320 acres, in Wauponsee Township, and, moving upon one, 
operated it, and rented the other. In 1889 he moved to Morris, building his 
handsome residence which has all modern improvements, and is one of the best 
in the city. Later, he sold his two farms, and in 1897 bought 344 acres in 
Saratoga Township, renting a portion of the farm to a son and the balance to 
an outside party, as he has lived retired since coming to Morris.

On Mary 25, 1869, Mr. Ashton was married to Harriet McKinzie, born in Shelby 
County, Ind., daughter of William and Sophia (Speelman) McKinzie of Indiana.  
Mr. and Mrs. Ashton have had the following children: William J., residing on 
N. Liberty street, Morris; Bert, residing on N. Wauponsee street, Morris; has 
one son, Harold; James, living on a farm, has two children, Raymond and 
Dorothy; and Fred, of Morris. Mr. Ashton is a Methodist in church connection, 
and politically is a Republican. Ever since moving to Morris, Mr. Ashton has 
been interested in the development of the city, and is justly regarded as one 
of its most representative men, while he is a recognized authority upon 
agricultural matters.

page 757

Additional Comments:
Source:  History of Grundy County, Illinois, Chicago: Munsell Publishing Co. 
Publishers; 1914

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