Charles Ashton (89036921)
Traer Star Clipper, Friday January 21, 1927 page 1
COMMUNITY MOURNS DEATH OF DR. ASHTON
One of First Professional Men of Traer Dies After Short Illness
CAME HERE IN DECEMBER 1873
Practiced Medicine 43 Years, Starting Here Six Months After Birth of Town
Traer is mourning the death of one of her oldest citizens in point of years, length of residence and duration of service in the community. Dr. C. W. Ashton passed away at his home, Monday, after an illness of ten days due to heart trouble. He was born in Pennsylvania in November 1841, being in his 86th year.
He came to Traer in December 1873, about six months after the first train arrived in the new town. He was the only one of his family to come west. The little town was booming. The sound of hammer and saw was heard on every side. In spite of the activities, newcomers generally waited for a place of business or a dwelling to be erected before they could call themselves settled. So, Dr. Ashton stopped at the local hotel and practiced from there during the first few months of his stay. His first country call was to the home of a farmer south of town, where the head of the house had committed suicide. His professional card appears in the first copy of the Traer Clipper, the first paper published in the town which was issued January 2, 1874.
For forty-three years, he continued in active practice, responding to every call. His old horse and single buggy were a familiar sight on the country roads, as well as in the town. When auto became the accepted mode of transportation, Dr. Ashton gave up his country practice. He complained that his old horse couldn’t keep up with them and he had no desire to learn to cater to the peculiarities of the new invention. But he had among his patients, men and women whom he served continuously for forty years. They were old and could not resign themselves to another’s ministrations with fortitude. To some of these he gave the promise that as long as he lived, he would continue to prescribe for them if he was able. Little more than a year ago the last one of these people to whom he had given his promise passed away. He had not failed any of them. The senior editor has always felt that he owes his life to Dr. Ashton. About the time he located in the new town the boy contracted pneumonia. The family doctor from old Buckingham had charge of the case which was critical. The old doctor said he could do nothing more for us. He felt there was no chance. Our good mother never abandoned hope. She called Dr. Ashton and by his skill and our mother’s prayers the battle was won.
Dr. Ashton was married to Miss Mary A. Reed, of Vinton, of February 6, 1876. The difficulties attending the event were the cause of much good-natured bantering by his friends. The event was originally scheduled to take place on February 2. One of the worst snowstorms in the history of north Tama started that morning. One accommodation train was running daily between Vinton and Traer and return, as the railroad only extended at that time as far as Traer. The doctor had planned to patronize the railroad, but when he learned that the train was snow bound at Dysart and probably would not reach Traer at all, in company with another would be passenger, he hired a livery rig and fared forth. After many difficulties, they arrived in Dysart, but the storm had become so severe they gave up the idea of trying to reach Vinton that night. Leaving the team at Dysart, the doctor started out to walk to the stalled train, to be sure to be on board when it moved. The engines in those days were light affairs compared with our modern machines and not very well equipped for bucking snowbanks. He remained on board the train, with numerous other passengers, for, two nights and a day—and the weather was bitterly cold. Their rations consisted in the main of crackers, which were purloined from the freight cars ahead. On the morning of the fourth day the storm had ceased, but the mercury stood at 22 degrees below zero. Refusing to postpone his matrimonial aspiration further, the doctor left the train and started down the track on foot. Pausing at Garrison long enough to partake of an oyster stew, he forged ahead and arrived at Vinton late Friday night.
The wedding occurred on Saturday and on Monday, the train having arrived in Vinton, the doctor and his bride started out for their new home. Even then their troubles were not over. The shifting winds had filled the Calderwood cut east of Traer full of snow and the train, was again stalled. A couple of bobsleds from Traer went out and rescued the passengers, who arrived here about 2 a.m.
The Traer Clipper failed to take advantage of a splendid opportunity for at thrilling news story when it condensed all these experiences in a single line in the wedding notice, stating “the doctor got badly frozen going to Vinton." In spite of the arduous duties of a country doctor’s practice. Dr. Ashton found time to render real and continued service in the Methodist church, serving on the official board for more than thirty years. He also served as treasurer and while acting in that capacity adopted the custom of paying the pastor his salary in monthly installments. When he could not collect it from the church members, he took it from his own bank account and waited until he might collect it. It had previously been the custom to pay the minister “any old time” when the money happened to be on hand and this innovation was very popular with them.
When Dr. Ashton discontinued his medical practice, he did not give up an active life. In the summer he cultivated a largo garden of fruit, flowers and vegetables. In the winter he tended the fires, fed the chickens and kept the walks clear from snow, tasks that men much younger than he could not do. Twice every-day he went for the mail and every Sunday found him at church. He had attended the services of the Week of Prayer every night that week until he was stricken with his fatal illness. Beside his faithful wife there is left to mourn one daughter. Mrs. Maude Ashton Carhart, of Sheffield and one grandson, Ashton Carhart, a student in the college at Grinnell. One daughter died in infancy. The funeral was at the home Wednesday afternoon, in charge of Dr. Alexander. Burial was in Buckingham.
Contributor: George (48419540)
Traer Star Clipper, Friday January 21, 1927 page 1
COMMUNITY MOURNS DEATH OF DR. ASHTON
One of First Professional Men of Traer Dies After Short Illness
CAME HERE IN DECEMBER 1873
Practiced Medicine 43 Years, Starting Here Six Months After Birth of Town
Traer is mourning the death of one of her oldest citizens in point of years, length of residence and duration of service in the community. Dr. C. W. Ashton passed away at his home, Monday, after an illness of ten days due to heart trouble. He was born in Pennsylvania in November 1841, being in his 86th year.
He came to Traer in December 1873, about six months after the first train arrived in the new town. He was the only one of his family to come west. The little town was booming. The sound of hammer and saw was heard on every side. In spite of the activities, newcomers generally waited for a place of business or a dwelling to be erected before they could call themselves settled. So, Dr. Ashton stopped at the local hotel and practiced from there during the first few months of his stay. His first country call was to the home of a farmer south of town, where the head of the house had committed suicide. His professional card appears in the first copy of the Traer Clipper, the first paper published in the town which was issued January 2, 1874.
For forty-three years, he continued in active practice, responding to every call. His old horse and single buggy were a familiar sight on the country roads, as well as in the town. When auto became the accepted mode of transportation, Dr. Ashton gave up his country practice. He complained that his old horse couldn’t keep up with them and he had no desire to learn to cater to the peculiarities of the new invention. But he had among his patients, men and women whom he served continuously for forty years. They were old and could not resign themselves to another’s ministrations with fortitude. To some of these he gave the promise that as long as he lived, he would continue to prescribe for them if he was able. Little more than a year ago the last one of these people to whom he had given his promise passed away. He had not failed any of them. The senior editor has always felt that he owes his life to Dr. Ashton. About the time he located in the new town the boy contracted pneumonia. The family doctor from old Buckingham had charge of the case which was critical. The old doctor said he could do nothing more for us. He felt there was no chance. Our good mother never abandoned hope. She called Dr. Ashton and by his skill and our mother’s prayers the battle was won.
Dr. Ashton was married to Miss Mary A. Reed, of Vinton, of February 6, 1876. The difficulties attending the event were the cause of much good-natured bantering by his friends. The event was originally scheduled to take place on February 2. One of the worst snowstorms in the history of north Tama started that morning. One accommodation train was running daily between Vinton and Traer and return, as the railroad only extended at that time as far as Traer. The doctor had planned to patronize the railroad, but when he learned that the train was snow bound at Dysart and probably would not reach Traer at all, in company with another would be passenger, he hired a livery rig and fared forth. After many difficulties, they arrived in Dysart, but the storm had become so severe they gave up the idea of trying to reach Vinton that night. Leaving the team at Dysart, the doctor started out to walk to the stalled train, to be sure to be on board when it moved. The engines in those days were light affairs compared with our modern machines and not very well equipped for bucking snowbanks. He remained on board the train, with numerous other passengers, for, two nights and a day—and the weather was bitterly cold. Their rations consisted in the main of crackers, which were purloined from the freight cars ahead. On the morning of the fourth day the storm had ceased, but the mercury stood at 22 degrees below zero. Refusing to postpone his matrimonial aspiration further, the doctor left the train and started down the track on foot. Pausing at Garrison long enough to partake of an oyster stew, he forged ahead and arrived at Vinton late Friday night.
The wedding occurred on Saturday and on Monday, the train having arrived in Vinton, the doctor and his bride started out for their new home. Even then their troubles were not over. The shifting winds had filled the Calderwood cut east of Traer full of snow and the train, was again stalled. A couple of bobsleds from Traer went out and rescued the passengers, who arrived here about 2 a.m.
The Traer Clipper failed to take advantage of a splendid opportunity for at thrilling news story when it condensed all these experiences in a single line in the wedding notice, stating “the doctor got badly frozen going to Vinton." In spite of the arduous duties of a country doctor’s practice. Dr. Ashton found time to render real and continued service in the Methodist church, serving on the official board for more than thirty years. He also served as treasurer and while acting in that capacity adopted the custom of paying the pastor his salary in monthly installments. When he could not collect it from the church members, he took it from his own bank account and waited until he might collect it. It had previously been the custom to pay the minister “any old time” when the money happened to be on hand and this innovation was very popular with them.
When Dr. Ashton discontinued his medical practice, he did not give up an active life. In the summer he cultivated a largo garden of fruit, flowers and vegetables. In the winter he tended the fires, fed the chickens and kept the walks clear from snow, tasks that men much younger than he could not do. Twice every-day he went for the mail and every Sunday found him at church. He had attended the services of the Week of Prayer every night that week until he was stricken with his fatal illness. Beside his faithful wife there is left to mourn one daughter. Mrs. Maude Ashton Carhart, of Sheffield and one grandson, Ashton Carhart, a student in the college at Grinnell. One daughter died in infancy. The funeral was at the home Wednesday afternoon, in charge of Dr. Alexander. Burial was in Buckingham.
Contributor: George (48419540)
Charles Ashton (89036921)
Traer Star Clipper, Friday January 21, 1927 page 1
COMMUNITY MOURNS DEATH OF DR. ASHTON
One of First Professional Men of Traer Dies After Short Illness
CAME HERE IN DECEMBER 1873
Practiced Medicine 43 Years, Starting Here Six Months After Birth of Town
Traer is mourning the death of one of her oldest citizens in point of years, length of residence and duration of service in the community. Dr. C. W. Ashton passed away at his home, Monday, after an illness of ten days due to heart trouble. He was born in Pennsylvania in November 1841, being in his 86th year.
He came to Traer in December 1873, about six months after the first train arrived in the new town. He was the only one of his family to come west. The little town was booming. The sound of hammer and saw was heard on every side. In spite of the activities, newcomers generally waited for a place of business or a dwelling to be erected before they could call themselves settled. So, Dr. Ashton stopped at the local hotel and practiced from there during the first few months of his stay. His first country call was to the home of a farmer south of town, where the head of the house had committed suicide. His professional card appears in the first copy of the Traer Clipper, the first paper published in the town which was issued January 2, 1874.
For forty-three years, he continued in active practice, responding to every call. His old horse and single buggy were a familiar sight on the country roads, as well as in the town. When auto became the accepted mode of transportation, Dr. Ashton gave up his country practice. He complained that his old horse couldn’t keep up with them and he had no desire to learn to cater to the peculiarities of the new invention. But he had among his patients, men and women whom he served continuously for forty years. They were old and could not resign themselves to another’s ministrations with fortitude. To some of these he gave the promise that as long as he lived, he would continue to prescribe for them if he was able. Little more than a year ago the last one of these people to whom he had given his promise passed away. He had not failed any of them. The senior editor has always felt that he owes his life to Dr. Ashton. About the time he located in the new town the boy contracted pneumonia. The family doctor from old Buckingham had charge of the case which was critical. The old doctor said he could do nothing more for us. He felt there was no chance. Our good mother never abandoned hope. She called Dr. Ashton and by his skill and our mother’s prayers the battle was won.
Dr. Ashton was married to Miss Mary A. Reed, of Vinton, of February 6, 1876. The difficulties attending the event were the cause of much good-natured bantering by his friends. The event was originally scheduled to take place on February 2. One of the worst snowstorms in the history of north Tama started that morning. One accommodation train was running daily between Vinton and Traer and return, as the railroad only extended at that time as far as Traer. The doctor had planned to patronize the railroad, but when he learned that the train was snow bound at Dysart and probably would not reach Traer at all, in company with another would be passenger, he hired a livery rig and fared forth. After many difficulties, they arrived in Dysart, but the storm had become so severe they gave up the idea of trying to reach Vinton that night. Leaving the team at Dysart, the doctor started out to walk to the stalled train, to be sure to be on board when it moved. The engines in those days were light affairs compared with our modern machines and not very well equipped for bucking snowbanks. He remained on board the train, with numerous other passengers, for, two nights and a day—and the weather was bitterly cold. Their rations consisted in the main of crackers, which were purloined from the freight cars ahead. On the morning of the fourth day the storm had ceased, but the mercury stood at 22 degrees below zero. Refusing to postpone his matrimonial aspiration further, the doctor left the train and started down the track on foot. Pausing at Garrison long enough to partake of an oyster stew, he forged ahead and arrived at Vinton late Friday night.
The wedding occurred on Saturday and on Monday, the train having arrived in Vinton, the doctor and his bride started out for their new home. Even then their troubles were not over. The shifting winds had filled the Calderwood cut east of Traer full of snow and the train, was again stalled. A couple of bobsleds from Traer went out and rescued the passengers, who arrived here about 2 a.m.
The Traer Clipper failed to take advantage of a splendid opportunity for at thrilling news story when it condensed all these experiences in a single line in the wedding notice, stating “the doctor got badly frozen going to Vinton." In spite of the arduous duties of a country doctor’s practice. Dr. Ashton found time to render real and continued service in the Methodist church, serving on the official board for more than thirty years. He also served as treasurer and while acting in that capacity adopted the custom of paying the pastor his salary in monthly installments. When he could not collect it from the church members, he took it from his own bank account and waited until he might collect it. It had previously been the custom to pay the minister “any old time” when the money happened to be on hand and this innovation was very popular with them.
When Dr. Ashton discontinued his medical practice, he did not give up an active life. In the summer he cultivated a largo garden of fruit, flowers and vegetables. In the winter he tended the fires, fed the chickens and kept the walks clear from snow, tasks that men much younger than he could not do. Twice every-day he went for the mail and every Sunday found him at church. He had attended the services of the Week of Prayer every night that week until he was stricken with his fatal illness. Beside his faithful wife there is left to mourn one daughter. Mrs. Maude Ashton Carhart, of Sheffield and one grandson, Ashton Carhart, a student in the college at Grinnell. One daughter died in infancy. The funeral was at the home Wednesday afternoon, in charge of Dr. Alexander. Burial was in Buckingham.
Contributor: George (48419540)
Traer Star Clipper, Friday January 21, 1927 page 1
COMMUNITY MOURNS DEATH OF DR. ASHTON
One of First Professional Men of Traer Dies After Short Illness
CAME HERE IN DECEMBER 1873
Practiced Medicine 43 Years, Starting Here Six Months After Birth of Town
Traer is mourning the death of one of her oldest citizens in point of years, length of residence and duration of service in the community. Dr. C. W. Ashton passed away at his home, Monday, after an illness of ten days due to heart trouble. He was born in Pennsylvania in November 1841, being in his 86th year.
He came to Traer in December 1873, about six months after the first train arrived in the new town. He was the only one of his family to come west. The little town was booming. The sound of hammer and saw was heard on every side. In spite of the activities, newcomers generally waited for a place of business or a dwelling to be erected before they could call themselves settled. So, Dr. Ashton stopped at the local hotel and practiced from there during the first few months of his stay. His first country call was to the home of a farmer south of town, where the head of the house had committed suicide. His professional card appears in the first copy of the Traer Clipper, the first paper published in the town which was issued January 2, 1874.
For forty-three years, he continued in active practice, responding to every call. His old horse and single buggy were a familiar sight on the country roads, as well as in the town. When auto became the accepted mode of transportation, Dr. Ashton gave up his country practice. He complained that his old horse couldn’t keep up with them and he had no desire to learn to cater to the peculiarities of the new invention. But he had among his patients, men and women whom he served continuously for forty years. They were old and could not resign themselves to another’s ministrations with fortitude. To some of these he gave the promise that as long as he lived, he would continue to prescribe for them if he was able. Little more than a year ago the last one of these people to whom he had given his promise passed away. He had not failed any of them. The senior editor has always felt that he owes his life to Dr. Ashton. About the time he located in the new town the boy contracted pneumonia. The family doctor from old Buckingham had charge of the case which was critical. The old doctor said he could do nothing more for us. He felt there was no chance. Our good mother never abandoned hope. She called Dr. Ashton and by his skill and our mother’s prayers the battle was won.
Dr. Ashton was married to Miss Mary A. Reed, of Vinton, of February 6, 1876. The difficulties attending the event were the cause of much good-natured bantering by his friends. The event was originally scheduled to take place on February 2. One of the worst snowstorms in the history of north Tama started that morning. One accommodation train was running daily between Vinton and Traer and return, as the railroad only extended at that time as far as Traer. The doctor had planned to patronize the railroad, but when he learned that the train was snow bound at Dysart and probably would not reach Traer at all, in company with another would be passenger, he hired a livery rig and fared forth. After many difficulties, they arrived in Dysart, but the storm had become so severe they gave up the idea of trying to reach Vinton that night. Leaving the team at Dysart, the doctor started out to walk to the stalled train, to be sure to be on board when it moved. The engines in those days were light affairs compared with our modern machines and not very well equipped for bucking snowbanks. He remained on board the train, with numerous other passengers, for, two nights and a day—and the weather was bitterly cold. Their rations consisted in the main of crackers, which were purloined from the freight cars ahead. On the morning of the fourth day the storm had ceased, but the mercury stood at 22 degrees below zero. Refusing to postpone his matrimonial aspiration further, the doctor left the train and started down the track on foot. Pausing at Garrison long enough to partake of an oyster stew, he forged ahead and arrived at Vinton late Friday night.
The wedding occurred on Saturday and on Monday, the train having arrived in Vinton, the doctor and his bride started out for their new home. Even then their troubles were not over. The shifting winds had filled the Calderwood cut east of Traer full of snow and the train, was again stalled. A couple of bobsleds from Traer went out and rescued the passengers, who arrived here about 2 a.m.
The Traer Clipper failed to take advantage of a splendid opportunity for at thrilling news story when it condensed all these experiences in a single line in the wedding notice, stating “the doctor got badly frozen going to Vinton." In spite of the arduous duties of a country doctor’s practice. Dr. Ashton found time to render real and continued service in the Methodist church, serving on the official board for more than thirty years. He also served as treasurer and while acting in that capacity adopted the custom of paying the pastor his salary in monthly installments. When he could not collect it from the church members, he took it from his own bank account and waited until he might collect it. It had previously been the custom to pay the minister “any old time” when the money happened to be on hand and this innovation was very popular with them.
When Dr. Ashton discontinued his medical practice, he did not give up an active life. In the summer he cultivated a largo garden of fruit, flowers and vegetables. In the winter he tended the fires, fed the chickens and kept the walks clear from snow, tasks that men much younger than he could not do. Twice every-day he went for the mail and every Sunday found him at church. He had attended the services of the Week of Prayer every night that week until he was stricken with his fatal illness. Beside his faithful wife there is left to mourn one daughter. Mrs. Maude Ashton Carhart, of Sheffield and one grandson, Ashton Carhart, a student in the college at Grinnell. One daughter died in infancy. The funeral was at the home Wednesday afternoon, in charge of Dr. Alexander. Burial was in Buckingham.
Contributor: George (48419540)
Gravesite Details
Husband of Mary M.; death date from Cem Assn records; birthdte from 1900 census.
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