George Ashton, for twenty years president of the Ashton-Hancock Brokerage Company of St. Louis, his course marked by that steady and substantial progress which shows nothing of the spectacular but moves continuously forward to its goal has ever merited and enjoyed the confidence, respect and goodwill of his fellowmen He was born in Every street, Manchester, England, September 11, 1860, his parents being Thomas and Emma Ashton. His early education was acquired in the Manchester grammar school, in Brooks Seminary, in Owens College, and Manchester University, all of Manchester, England, and having resolved to become a member of the bar he took up the study of law, being articled to Rowley, Page & Rowley, solicitors of his native city. However, the law at that time proved too dry for him and he sought more interesting fields. He came to the United States in August, 1882, when a young man of twenty-two years and since that time has been engaged in the wholesale grocery business, making fair progress, so that he has attained a measure of success above the average. After various business connections he became president of the Ashton-Hancock Brokerage Company of St. Louis, Missouri, and has so continued for the past twenty years.
Mr. Ashton was too old for active duty when America entered the war with Germany, but offered his aid and was on duty in secret service and received a medal from the United States government after the cessation of hostilities. He belongs to the Episcopal church and is well known in club circles, having membership in the Midland Valley Country Club, the Missouri Athletic Club, the Liberty Country Club and the St. Louis Fly and Bait Casting Club. He is not allied with any particular party, but has always tried to do his duty as a good citizen, although never seeking office. He has always believed in the motto “Men’s Sana in Corpare Sano” and also in the Golden Rule. He has valued money only as a means for better enjoyment of life and his sports have ever been clean and manly. He has always been devoted to outdoor sports and at college was a runner, winning three medals. He also played cricket and football in his youth and is now a devotee of the fly rod, trout and bass fishing being his specialty. He makes his own flies, spinners. rods and leaders-in fact everything used in fishing and is considered an authority in this part of the country on all matters pertaining to fly fishing. Those who are his companions in his trips into the open speak of him in terms of warmest regard, while his name has long.; occupied a prominent position in the ranks of the business men of St. Louis.