ROBERT F. ASKREN, attorney at law, and one of the prominent citizens of Mt. Ayr, is a native of Indiana, born on a farm in Boone County, November 12, 1840. His parents, David and Mary (CRAIG) ASKREN, were natives of the State of Ohio, the father born in Adams County. They were among the early settlers of Indiana, removing from Ohio to that State in 1832, when they settled in Boone County, moving thence to Clinton County, and later to Tippecanoe County.

Robert F., our subject, grew to manhood on his father's farm in his native State, receiving his primary education in the schools of his neighborhood.

In 1861 he enlisted in the service of his country in Company G, Fortieth Indiana Infantry. He was in the Army of the Cumberland, and participated in the battles of Shiloh, Perryville and Stone River, and was in the service for two years, when he was discharged on account of ill health, in January, 1963, after which he returned to Tippecanoe County, and was unable to do anything until 1865.

In that year he entered Augustina Seminary, then located at Paxton, Illinois, where he prosecuted his studies about two years. He then began reading law in the office of c. H. FREW, of Paxton, and in 1869 was admitted to the bar.

He came to Mt. Ayr, Ringgold County, Iowa, in the spring of 1870, and opened a law office, being associated with his brother J. C. ASKREN, under the firm name of ASKREN Brothers for a short time, since which he has conducted the office alone.

Mr. ASKREN was united in marriage in 1874 to Miss Ada J. OSBORN, of Mt. Ayr, and to this union have been born four children, two sons and two daughters.

Mr. ASKREN has held the office of mayor of Mt. Ayr, was county superintendent of schools four years, and in the fall of 1876 was elected county auditor, serving as such one term. For the past three years he has held the office of county attorney. He is a member of both the Masonic and Odd Fellows orders, and also belongs to the Grand Army of the Republic.

NOTE: Robert F. ASKREN died in 1909 and was interred at Rose Hill Cemetery, Mount Ayr, Ringgold County, Iowa. Adelaide J."Ada" (OSBORN) ASKREN was born in 1853, and died in 1926 with interment beside her husband Robert.

SOURCES:
Biography & Historical Record of Ringgold County, Iowa, Pp. 329-30, 1887.

WPA Graves Survey

Transcription and note by Sharon R. Becker, March of 2009

Biographical Sketches Pages Index: A - F,   G - L,   M - R,  S - Z