Santa Clara County
Biographies
JOHN T. ASHLEY
JOHN T. ASHLEY, deceased. The subject of this
sketch, a native of the old Green Mountain State, was born in West Haven,
Rutland County, Vermont, June 4, 1830. His boyhood and young manhood were spent
upon his father’s farm, where he became inured to the toil incident to a
farmer’s life. His educational facilities were good, he receiving an academic
education and at the age of sixteen years was engaged in teaching school. In
1853 he came overland to California, arriving in Placer County August 14 of that
year. Upon his arrival he located in Damascus, where he established a hotel. In
addition to his occupation as a hotel-keeper, he was interested in various
mining enterprises, and experienced the varying fortunes of a life in a mining
town until 1875, when he was elected Recorder and Auditor of Placer County. Mr.
Ashley was a strong Republican, and his popularity is shown by his being one of
the very few Republicans who were elected in that year. In 1876 he moved to
Auburn, the county seat of Placer county. The next year he was reelected to the
office, and served until 1880. At the expiration of his term of office he was
appointed Under-Sheriff of the county, a position which he held until 1883. In
the latter year he came to Santa Clara County, and located in Milpitas. He
purchased the interest of Mr. Clark, of the firm of Clark & Dixon, and entered
into mercantile pursuits under the firm name of Dixon & Ashley. In 1885 Mr.
Dixon sold his interest in the store to Mr. Ashley’s son, Aldace N. Ashley. The
business was then conducted under the name of Ashley & Co., until his death,
which occurred October 26, 1886.
Mr. Ashley was a man of fine scholarly attainments and literary talents, and was
often called upon for orations, recitations, etc., upon public occasions. As a
public speaker he was more inclined to sound reasoning and convincing argument
than to oratorical display. He was a strong Republican, and an ardent supporter
of the government during the dark days of Rebellion.
In 1862 Mr. Ashley married Miss Mary E. Bell, of Placer County. They have four
children living, viz.: Aldace N. (a sketch of whom appears on this page). Osee
E., Grata M., and Edna M.
SOURCE: Pen Pictures From The Garden of the World or
Santa Clara County, California, Illustrated. - Edited by H. S. Foote.-
Chicago: The Lewis Publishing Company, 1888. - page 529-530 - Transcribed
by Carolyn Feroben
W. W. ATKINSON
W. W. ATKINSON, San Jose Township is a native
of Clark County, Ohio, born near Springfield, December 19, 1834, his parents
being John and Elizabeth (Krietz) Atkinson. His father was born in Allegheny
County, Pennsylvania, and his mother in Virginia. The father learned the
saddler’s trade in Pennsylvania, but followed farming in Ohio. He was murdered
in 1837, while on his way to Illinois. In 1843 the family removed to McLean
County, Illinois and there the mother remained until her death. W. W. Atkinson
remained in McLean County until 1852, and on the fourth of April of that year he
left with a party of seven, in two wagons, for California. They crossed the
Missouri River at St. Joseph, and joined a large party westward bound. On the
second of September he arrived at Ione, Amador County, and obtained a situation
bailing hay. He worked at odd jobs, and on contracts, for four years, and the
money thus earned he invested in lands. In 1864 he bought a threshing-machine,
which was the first brought into that portion of the State. In 1865 he purchased
another one, and for nine consecutive years he operated one each in Nevada and
California. He closed that branch of business, but continued farming until 1862,
when he bought the Florence Mills at Ione, changed the name to Bloomington
Mills, and made extensive additions and improvements, at an expense of from
$6,000 to $8,000. He operated the mills until he came to this county. He also
put $10,500 cash in a mercantile firm, but his partner failed, and he canceled
the indebtedness, coming out of the ordeal a loser by $45,000! He also owned two
ranches , of 720 and 150 acres, respectively. In April, 1887, he purchased
sixty-five acres of land in San Jose Township, and moved upon it in September
following. This tract is at the corner of King Avenue and Tully road. He also
has fifty-five acres in the Fillmore tract, and twenty-five acres on First
Street. He is making extensive and commendable improvements.
Mr. Atkinson was married, at Antioch, California, October 25, 1882, to Miss
Alice Parkison, a native of Wisconsin. They have one child, Robert Orville.
Politically Mr. Atkinson is a Prohibitionist. He was for many years School
Trustee of Hudson School District, in his old county, and was the business man
of the Board. He is a member of Ione Lodge, No. 80, A.F.& A. M.; Ione Lodge NO.,
51, I. O. O. F. and Marble Encampment, No. 19, Ione.
SOURCE: Pen Pictures From The Garden of the World or Santa Clara County, California, Illustrated. - Edited by H. S. Foote.- Chicago: The Lewis Publishing Company, 1888. - page 608 - Transcribed by Carolyn Feroben