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Transcribed from "An Illustrated History of The Big Bend Country, embracing
Lincoln, Douglas, Adams and Franklin counties, State of Washington",
published by Western Historical Publishing Co., 1904.
WILLIAM B. ASHCRAFT, proprietor
of the O. K. Livery, Feed and Sale Stable, Lind, Washington, although only
twenty-six years of age, and despite the fact of his being left an orphan
at the age of sixteen, and having to battle from early boyhood against
poverty, griefs and misfortune, is now pleasantly situated in a home of
his own, and engaged in a lucrative business. He was born in Marshal
county, Iowa, May 15, 1878. His father, James Ashcraft, a native
of Pennsylvania, removed in early life to Illinois, and from that state
to Iowa. He enlisted in the Civil War when eighteen years of age,
and while in service contracted a disease from which he never recovered,
and which resulted in his death in Iowa in 1881. Our subject's mother
was Susan (Kimbral) Ashcraft, also a native of Pennsylvania. After
the death of her husband she removed to Washington with her family, in
1884, and passed away in Spokane in 1893, leaving three children; James
E., of Spokane; Eunice L., in Spokans; and the subject of this biography.
From early youth Mr. Ashcraft has had to work
hard for his livelihood and the only schooling he has ever received was
ten years in the common schools in his native county. After the death
of his mother he commenced working on a farm, and continued engaged thus
until 1899, when he came to Adams county and purchased a half-section of
land eight miles north of Lind, all of which he put in an excellent state
of cultivation and improvement. He tilled his soil until 1903, when
he sold out, removed to Lind and purchased his present business.
He has since acquired a beautiful home and nine lots of well improved town
property desirably located.
In 1902 occurred the marriage of William B.
Ashcraft to Nonie Seivers, daughter of Nick and Gertrude (Michael) Seivers,
natives of Germany who came to America when young. The Seivers family
located first in Wisconsin, and from that state went to Indiana.
The father came to Washington in 1886, and later was joined by his family,
when they located near Lind. Mrs. Ashcraft has two brothers and an
equal number of sisters whose names are, Nicholas, Peter, Gertrude and
Mary. Mr. and Mrs. Ashcraft have one child, a daughter, whose name
is Maud.
In politics Mr. Ashcraft is liberal in his
views, voting for the men of his particular choice rather than with any
party. He is conducting a good business in a business-like manner,
and is rapidly gaining a wide reputation for his excellent service, courtesy
and his willingness to oblige his patrons.
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