Biography of Mark Ashdown
Mark Ashdown, born June 3, 1851, in County Kent, England, was a prominent figure in Port Byron and Coe Townships until his death on May 31, 1907. An early immigrant to America, Ashdown engaged in agriculture before establishing himself in the lumber business. He served as justice of the peace, school board member, and was involved in local government, initially with the Democratic Party before becoming an ardent Prohibitionist. He was married to Mary Ann Beale and had three children, two sons and a daughter, surviving him.