William A. Ashbrook Explained

Birthname:William Albert Ashbrook
Image Name:William A. Ashbrook 1913.jpg
Signature:William A. Ashbrook signature.jpg
State:Ohio
District:17th
Term Start:March 4, 1907
Term End:March 3, 1921
Preceded:Martin L. Smyser
Succeeded:William M. Morgan
Term Start2:January 3, 1935
Term End2:January 1, 1940
Preceded2:Charles F. West
Succeeded2:J. Harry McGregor
State House3:Ohio
District3:Licking County
Term Start3:January 1, 1906
Term End3:March 3, 1907
Predecessor3:Charles D. Watkins
Successor3:Robert W. Howard
Party:Democratic
Birth Date:1 July 1867
Birth Place:Johnstown, Ohio
Death Place:Washington, D.C.
Resting Place:Green Hill Cemetery, Johnstown
Children:John M. Ashbrook

William Albert Ashbrook (July 1, 1867 – January 1, 1940) was an American businessman, newspaper publisher, and Democratic politician from Ohio.

He was born near Johnstown, Licking County, Ohio, and attended the local public schools. Later, he studied business in Lansing, Michigan.

In 1884 he founded a newspaper, The Johnstown Independent. He also engaged in banking. From 1893 to 1897 he served as postmaster of Johnstown.

He entered politics as a Democrat and won a seat to the Ohio House of Representatives in 1904. In 1906 he was elected to the U.S. House, where he served until he was defeated in the 1920 elections. Returning home, he resumed his newspaper publishing and banking career in Johnstown. He married Marie Swank and they had a son, John M. Ashbrook, in 1928. He ran in a successful comeback campaign for Congress in 1934, and served there until his death.

His son John would later succeed him in that congressional seat from 1961 to 1982 as a Republican.

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