My Genealogy Hound

WILLIAM ASHWORTH, nurseryman, Tippecanoe City; born in Middleton, Lancashire, Eng., in 1836; is a son of George and Betsy (Wult) Ashworth; he followed the occupation of baker in his native country, and immigrated to America, with his family, in 1839, landing in Philadelphia, Penn., from where he came direct to the present site of Tippecanoe; here he learned the shoemaker trade, which he followed till his death, July 23, 1849; his wife died April 3,1876; he had three sons, all yet living—two in Tippecanoe, and one in Leadville, Colo.; our subject is the oldest son, and was only 3 years old when he came with his parents to his present place; he was educated in the common school, and, at the age of 11, entered an apprenticeship at the shoemaker trade, serving two years and a half; at the age of 16, went to Dayton, Ohio, and served about three years at the harness trade; he then turned his attention to gardening and the nursery business, which he has since continued at Tippecanoe; with his brother, he cultivates one of the most extensive nurseries in this county; he raises all kinds of fruit trees, ornamental shrubbery, vines and plants of all kinds (see card in directory); his long experience in, and careful attention to, the business, makes their firm one of the most reliable in the country, and they have gained the reputation of first-class nurserymen. In 1862, he left the nursery for the “tented field,” enlisting in Co. D, 94th O. V. I., and served till the close of the war (over three years), participating in the following battles: Perryville, Ky., Stone River, Mission Ridge and numerous skirmishes; joined his regiment, on Sherman’s march, at the sea-coast having been detained on account of sickness; returned home and resumed his former occupation. He is a Republican in politics, his father being an “Old Line Whig,” and is a member of the “Miami Valley Nurserymen’s Association.” He married Sarah Wilson, of this county, in 1857; two children, both now dead, have been the issue of this union.