Theodore L Ashford

ASHFORD

Posted By: County Coordinator (email)
Date: 5/13/2010 at 17:09:43

Theodore L Ashford has been president of the Boone State Bank of Boone sine its organization in February 1911. His identification with banking however, continues for a much longer period, as he had previously served as cashier of the Boone National Bank from its organization in 1904. His residence in the county covers a period of twenty-one years, for on March 1, 1893, he arrived in Boone and throughout the intervening period has been identified with industrial and financial interests.
Mr Ashford was born in Columbiana county, Ohio, October 8, 1869, and is a son of Oliver G and Josephine (Lones) Ashford. The Ashford family is of English origin and of Quaker stock coming from the old world with William Penn and establishing their home in Pennsylvania. The ancestry of the Lones family can be traced back directly to Roger Williams. Oliver G Ashford, who was an Ohio farmer, came to Iowa about 1874, settling near Nevada, Story county. There he purchased land and continued the development and improvement of his farm until he retired from active life about 1886, taking up his abode in Nevada. There he served as county sheriff of Story county, and following the close of his term of office he spent his remaining days in the enjoyment of well earned rest, passing away in August 1904, at the age of fifty-eight years. He was a stanch republican in his political views and filled various township offices, the duties of which he discharged in a capable manner. He was a very active and public spirited man, doing much to further the welfare and progress of the community in which he made his home. His widow, who was born in Pennsylvania, still survives and now resides in Seattle, Washington, at the age of sixty-six years. The family numbered seven children, of whom one son is deceased while six are yet living.
Theodore L Ashford is the only one who resides in Boone county. He was reared in Story county, where the family located when he was abut six years of age. In the public schools there he acquired his education. He is a thoroughly self made man, for he had neither wealth nor influential friends to aid him at the outset of his business career. In early manhood he engaged in teaching for one term and when in his twenty-fourth year he came to Boone, arriving in this city on march 1, 1893. At that time he entered the employ of an abstract firm and engaged in that line of business until 1900. He next entered the service of the Security Savings Bank, with which he was associated for four years. His initial connection with the banking business was in a humble capacity, but gradually he worked his way upward and upon the organization of the Boone National Bank he was elected its cashier and so continued until he was called to the presidency of the Boone State Bank when it was organized in February 1911. In fact, he was one of the promoters of the latter institution and has been a moving spirit in its subsequent success. His efforts have been highly satisfactory in promoting the progress of the bank, which is now regarded as one of the safe, substantial institutions of the county. It is conducted along very progressive lines, and the interest of the depositors are most fully safeguarded.
In Boone, Mr Ashford was united in marriage to Miss Corina Harkness of Humboldt, Iowa, her parents being settlers of this state and natives of Pennsylvania. Mrs Ashford was born in Humboldt and by her marriage has become the mother of one son, Theodore Harkness, born at Boone in February 1905. The family attend the Presbyterian church, and they reside in an attractive home at No 1009 Third street. Politically Mr Ashford is a republican and for years took an active part in political work, serving in some of the city offices, including that of treasurer. Fraternally he is connected with the Masons and in the order has attained the Knight Templar degree. He is also a member of the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks. The motive springs of his conduct are found in high and honorable principles and laudable ambition. Starting out in life empty handed, he ahs utilized each opportunity that has come to him, and step by step he has worked his way upward, his orderly progression bringing him at length to his present responsible position as a representative of financial interests in Boone county.

1914 Boone County History Book