- W. H. ASHCRAFT, is one of the representative and early business
men of Janesville. He was
- born in the Empire State, in Otsego County, N.Y., on the
1st day of August, 1833. The traditional history says that the
family settled in the Connecticut colony long previous to the
Revolutionary War, and it is certainly known that W. H. ASHCRAFT,
the great-grandfather of our subject, was long a resident of
that State. Jared ASHCRAFT, the paternal grandfather, was a
native of Otsego County, N.Y., where he passed the greater part
of his life, but his death occurred at the home of his son in
Michigan.
- Jedidiah ASHCRAFT, the father of W. H., was also born in
Otsego County, of which county his
- wife, whose maiden name was Miss Hannah SMITH, was also a
native. They became the parents of three sons and a daughter,
who grew to mature years, and all, with the exception of our
subject, are still residents of New York.
- W. H. ASHCRAFT was reared in his native county, and remained
under the parental roof until
- sixteen years of age. His father was a cabinet-maker by
occupation, and the son assisted him in his business from an
early age, when, arriving at the age of fifteen years, he was
possessed of a good knowledge of the trade. The following year,
in 1849, he left home, and, going to Binghamton, N.Y., worked
at his chosen occupation for a period of four years. At the
expiration of that time he emigrated to the West, locating in
Janesville, where, two years later, in 1856, he established his
present business as a furniture dealer, which he has carried
on continuously since. He began on a small scale as a retail
dealer, but not long afterward engaged in manufacturing, conducting
both branches of the business. He now owns a fine store, in
which he is located, on the north side of West Milwaukee street,
of which he took possession in 1870, and also the store building
adjoining it on the west. His success is due entirely to the
careful attention which he has given to the details of his business,
together with his honest, upright dealings, which have secured
the confidence and respect of the public. Beginning business
in Janesville when but a youth, and with no means save his personal
earnings he has gradually built up an extensive and substantial
trade, and is numbered among the leading and enterprising business
men of the city.
- In 1854 the marriage ceremony which united the destinies
of Mr. ASHCRAFT and Miss Martha
- CARODINE was performed. The lady is a daughter of John CARODINE,
an early settler of Green County, Wis., who is now residing in
Albany, that county. Mr. and Mrs. ASSHCRAFT have two children
- Estella H. and William H. The latter is associated with his
father in business. He is a graduate of the Oriental School
of Embalming, and makes a specially of embalming the dead, being
very skillful in that art. He is now married, his wife having
been Miss Kate CARLE, a daughter of W. F. CARLE, of Janesville.
-
- Taken from "The Portrait and Biographical Album of
Rock County, Wis." (c)1889, p. 831.
-
- Courtesy of Carol
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