Harrison County Iowa Genealogy

HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY, IOWA, 1915
BIOGRAPHIES
Page 951
SIMON ASHCRAFT

Simon ASHCRAFT - The success of men in business or, in any other vocation, depends upon character as well as knowledge. It is a self-evident proposition that honesty is the best policy. In every community some men are known for their upright lives, strong common sense and moral worth, as well as for their material prosperity and political standing. Neighbors and acquaintances respect them, the younger generation heed their example and when "they wrap the drapery of their couch about them and lie down to pleasant dreams" posterity listens with reverence to the story of their quiet, useful lives. Among the present generations of farmers of La Grange township, Harrison county, Iowa, is Simon ASHCRAFT, a progressive man of affairs, a man who has been successful in his vocation and also a man of modest and unassuming demeanor, well informed and a fine type of reliable, self-made American.

Simon Ashcraft was born on october 15, 1854, in Greene county, Indiana, son of Jonathan and Martha (Tedrick) Ashcraft, who were the parents of three children, Elijah of Brownwood, Texas; Henry, deceased; and Simon, the subject of this sketch. Jonathan ASHCRAFT was born in Ohio and was reared on a farm. He enlisted in the Civil War and died at Little Rock, Arkansas, during the service. His wife was also a native of Ohio and died in 1856. Both parents, in fact, died when Simon Ashcraft was only a child. He was reared by his paternal grandparents.

Simon Ashcraft started in life for himself when very young, attending the schools of Greene county, Indiana, when slab boards were used for seats. For a number of years, he worked out as a farm hand. He came to Harrison county, Iowa, in 1876 and rented land in Clay township. He purchased 160 acres in La Grange township, which is his present farm, in 1906. Mr. Ashcraft now owns 200 acres of the best farming land which is one of the best-located farms in Harrison county. He has 60 acres of natural timber and a home with all of the modern conveniences. Among other improvements, he has built an excellent barn on his farm. Considering the handicaps under which he labored, Simon Ashcraft has been very successful in life.

Simon ASHCRAFT was married the first time to Lydia E. GEORGE, who was born in 1865 in Harrison county, Iowa, and who was the daughter of Henry and Mary (DURMAN) GEORGE. She died in 1883, leaving Mr. Ashcraft one son, Kerby, who is a soldier in the United States Army. Mr. Ashcraft was married again in 1886, to Lillie M. MILLER, who was born in 1871 in Greene county, Illinois, and who is a daughter of Levi and Julia (STEVENS) MILLER, natives of New York and early settlers in Harrison county. Her father was a soldier in the Civil War and died in 1912. Her mother is still living at Woodbine, Iowa. To this second union, four children have been born, George T. a farmer of Jefferson Township; James F. who farms the home place; Rosa M. who married C.S. COPPLE of Union township; and Jennings B., who lives at home.

No better evidence of Mr. ASHCRAFT's thrift, industry and good management could be cited than the fact that he lived on a rented farm for 22 years without moving. This farm was rented from Fred SCHWERTLEY. Mr. ASHCRAFT is a Democrat and served as constable of Clay township from 1882 to 1886. Mr. Ashcraft and family are members of the Methodist Church.

It is extremely unusual for a man to accomplish in life what Simon ASHCRAFT has achieved. But he has not only succeeded in a material way, but he is a public-spirited citizen, a man who takes a keen interest in all of the affairs of the community where he lives, a man who is highly respected for his mature and sound judgment and for his ability as a leader. He is justly deserving of the esteem in which he is held by his neighbors and fellow citizens.

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