Page 308, transcribed by Carolyn Ward from History of Allen and Woodson Counties, Kansas: embellished with portraits of well known people of these counties, with biographies of our representative citizens, cuts of public buildings and a map of each county / Edited and Compiled by L. Wallace Duncan and Chas. F. Scott. Iola Registers, Printers and Binders, Iola, Kan.: 1901; 894 p., [36] leaves of plates: ill., ports.; includes index.



 

308 cont'd HISTORY OF ALLEN AND  

JOHN M. ASHBROOK

JOHN M. ASHBROOK was born in Pickaway county, Ohio, on the 26th of July, 1859. His father, Absalom Ashbrook, was a native of Pennsylvania and during his boyhood removed to Ohio with his parents. His second wife was Mrs. Frances (Wesenhouver) Brinker, a native of the Buckeye state, and in 1876 he died, at the age of sixty-four years, leaving his wife and son, the subject of this review. In 1865 they came to Kansas, locating upon the farm to which Mr. Ashbrook has since devoted his energies, making it one of the valuable properties in Logan township.

In the spring of 1884 he was united in marriage to Miss Lizzie Defenbaugh, a native of Ohio and a daughter of Henry Defenbaugh. During her early girlhood Mrs. Ashbrook's parents removed to Illinois. Her mother died in 1900 at the age of sixty-six years, but her father is still living at the age of seventy-three years.

When Mr. Ashbrook came to Kansas with his mother he purchased one hundred and sixty-six acres of land which his industry has improved until it has reached a state of commendable development. In all his work he has been successful and ranks among the progressive farmers of the county.

In his political affiliations Mr. Ashbrook is a Republican and has been honored with local positions of public trust. He has served as township trustee and for several years has been treasurer of his township. Socially he is a Workman, having filled a chair in the lodge. He belongs to the class of enterprising Americans who always constitute the substantial element in our population.


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