BIO: David ASHTON, Huntingdon County, PA

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Commemorative Biographical Encyclopedia of the Juniata Valley: 
Comprising the Counties of Huntingdon, Mifflin, Juniata and Perry, 
Pennsylvania, Containing Sketches of Prominent and Representative 
Citizens and Many of the Early Settlers.  Chambersburg, Pa.: J. M. 
Runk & Co., 1897, page 158.
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  DAVID ASHTON, Maddensville, Huntington [sic] county, Pa., was born 
March 11, 1836, in Smoketown, near Goldsboro, York county, Pa. He is 
the son of Thomas and Elizabeth (Kiester) Ashton. The Ashton family is 
of English origin; three brothers of the name were immigrants here from 
that country, about a century ago. One settled in Lancaster county, one 
in Berks county, and a third, the great grandfather of David Ashton, in 
York county, Pa. It is supposed that all three were farmers. George 
Ashton, son of the third brother, was born in York county, where he was 
a tiller of the ground. He took part in the war of 1812, and was 
stationed at Baltimore, Md. He married Miss Baughman, who was of German 
descent. His death occurred about 1825; his wife survived him for many 
years. She received from the government a land warrant and a pension, 
in consideration of her husband's services in the war. Mrs. Ashton died 
at the home of her daughter, at Ennisville, Huntingdon county, about 
1859. Their children were: Fanny (Mrs. Peter Drawbaugh), of York 
county, Pa., who removed to Huntingdon county about 1842 or '43, about 
1849, went to Johnson county, Ia., where her husband died in 1861, and 
she now resides in Butler county; Thomas; Barbara, married David 
Mansberger in York county, removed to Huntingdon county in 1842, where 
she died about 1858, and her husband in 1896, at the age of eighty-two; 
John, married Miss Hoffman, of Bainbridge, Lancaster county, Pa., 
emigrated to Iowa about 1870, where he died in 1875, his wife surviving 
him, and residing in Washington county, Ia.; and George, married first 
a native of Lancaster county, and afterwards a native of Clinton 
county, Pa., and now resides at Bainbridge, Pa.
  Thomas Ashton was educated in the common schools of York county. His 
marriage to Elizabeth Kiester, of York county, took place in 1835, and 
in 1840, Mr. Ashton, his wife, and their eldest child, David, went to 
Huntingdon county. There, in connection with others, Mr. Ashton bought 
land, and built himself a log house in the woods. Then he proceeded to 
clear and farm his property. In 1848, he sold his portion and interest 
in the land to Jacob E. Bare, and purchased what is now known as the 
Baker farm, on which he resided for the rest of his life. Mr. Ashton 
was active in politics; he was originally a Democrat, and adhered to 
that party until 1860, when he became an advocate for the abolition of 
slavery. He held many township offices. His children are: David; 
George, married Kate Barndollar, a native of Fort Littleton, Pa., at 
Lanark, Ill., and went to Boone, Ia., where he became principal of 
schools, and later, county superintendent, went about 1890 to Iowa 
Park, Tex., and in 1895 to Lincoln, Neb., where he is now engaged in 
the sale of school supplies; and Lydia A., widow of Scott Woollett, of 
Fort Littleton, where she now resides. Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Ashton were 
faithful members of the Church of God at Walnut Grove, Huntingdon 
county, for which congregation Mr. Ashton built a neat house of 
worship. His death occurred January 6, 1865. Mrs. Ashton survived him 
until April 13, 1895, when she died at the home of her daughter at Fort 
Littleton, Fulton county, Pa. Her age was about seventy-nine, as she 
was born in 1816.
  When in 1840 Thomas Ashton removed to Huntingdon county, their son 
David Ashton was only four years old. He received his education in the 
common schools of Huntingdon county, but his average attendance was 
only from one month to two months and a half of each year. The log 
house in which the school was taught was about a mile and a half from 
his home, and he had to walk that distance in all kinds of weather. 
Naturally, he learned more of the art and mystery of farming than he 
did of books. He remained with his father, assisting his father in 
cultivating the farm as long as the father lived. Afterwards, he bought 
the farm, in 1866, from his father's heirs, and has ever since made the 
same place his home. He cultivates 130 acres of the homestead farm, and 
90 acres adjoining it. Mr. Ashton is a staunch Republican, advocating 
the gold standard. He was elected justice of the peace in 1876, and 
served fifteen years; he has also served many years on the school 
board. David Ashton was married, February 14, 1862, to Eliza J., 
daughter of Robert and Soshey (Lane) Madden. Their children are: Horace 
G., married Miss Cutshall of Huntingdon county, and in the spring of 
1895, went to California, where they now reside; Robert; Lizzie M.; and 
one child that died an infant. Mr. Ashton is highly esteemed as a 
citizen, and prized as a companion on account of his pleasant manner 
and good conversational powers.