FREDERICK T.
ASHTON, one of the most prominent musicians of
Bloomington, was born in that city, July 15, 1871, a son of
William H. and Eliza (Pottinger) Ashton. The
father was born in London, in 1819, and was reared and
educated there as a musician and choir master, playing in
Covent Garden and other London theatres. There he was
married, and, coming to the United States in 18_(blank)_, he
has been a resident of Bloomington for a third of a century.
Here he has engaged in the shoe business at the present time
is also a dealer in men's furnishing goods. For a
number of years he was in charge of choirs of different
churches here. His wife holds membership in the
Congregational church. In their family are eight
children, four sons and four daughters, of whom our subject
is the youngest.
Frederick T. Ashton acquired his literary
education in the public schools of Bloomington, and his
musical education was begun as soon as he was able to hold
an instrument. When he was fourteen years of age a
company came to the city wanting an orchestra, and he with
three others were chosen. He traveled with the company
for four months and had charge of the little orchestra, but
as he was not given his salary his father brought him home.
He next played first violin in Schroder's Opera House
here, and during the two years he was thus employed he
gained much practical experience and also kept up his
studies at the same time. At the age of seventeen he
went to Chicago, and in the large music house of Lyon &
Healy was employed in the stringing room, testing and
stringing all new instruments. While there he studied
with Professor Singer and also noted Swedish
violinist.
Mr. Durkee, superintendent of Lyon & Healy's
factory, having become interested in our subject, arranged
for a course, and he made great progress during the two
years spent in that establishment. Resigning his
position there, he traveled with a theatrical company all
over the south, and on his return to Bloomington at the end
of that time he took charge of the orchestra in the Durley
theatre, and also engaged in teaching music. Later he
spent one season with a thoroughly first class opera company
which put on the Mascot and other popular operas and played
in only the best cities. At the age of twenty he was
leader of an orchestra in Cincinnati, where he was obliged
in correct men much older in order to keep the music up to
the required standard. An old German whom he thus
corrected would not speak to him for a week, but finally
came to him and offered him three hundred and fifty dollars
for his violin. This instrument he values at five
hundred dollars, but it is not for sale. The opera
company with which Mr. Ashton was connected was in
Albany, New York, at the close of the season, and from there
he went to New York City, where for seven weeks he was ill
in Bellevue hospital before he was able to look for an
engagement, his mother believing him studying harmony during
this time. As he had exhausted his money, he was
obliged to leave the hospital, as he would not submit to the
treatment he received there as a charity patient, and
finally found an old friend who cared for him until the
arrival of his brother, who remained with him until his
recovery. Returning to Bloomington, in 1891, he opened
a school of music giving lessons on the violin, mandolin,
guitar and banjo, and as he was then the only teacher of the
kind in the city, and there was no competition, he met with
success from the start. His school was located at No.
409 North Main street. During the '80s he had also
engaged in teaching and had established the old mandolin
orchestra, which is still in existence, and of which he
again has charge. In 1892 he became the leader of the
orchestra of the Grand Opera House, but at the end of a
season he was taken ill and the doctor advised a change.
The following season was spent on the road with the Spooner
Comedy Company, and on his return to Bloomington in 1893 he
reopened his school and again took charge of the mandolin
orchestra, both of which eh has since conducted. His
services are in great demand for weddings, receptions and
all high class work of which he makes a specialty, and since
February, 1897, he has had charge of the Grand opera house
orchestra. His musical ability and success as a leader
is well known to all theatre goers, and the orchestra in
their dress suits presents a good appearance as well as
furnishing the public with the best of music. In 1898,
as manager and director, he took permanent charge of De
Molay's Band, which gives frequent concerts and has won an
enviable reputation throughout this section of the country.
He practically has control of all the musical organizations
in the city, a rather remarkable thing for a man as young as
he. He has as many as twenty-five musicians who have
been under his direction for a number of years, and by
treating them with kindness and as gentlemen, he has gained
their entire confidence and respect. In token of their
esteem, the orchestra presented him with a beautiful gold
watch.
On the 6th of June, 1893, Mr. Ashton married
Miss Elberta M. Richie, of Colfax, Illinois, a daughter
of Christian Richie, and to them has been born a
daughter, Doris E. They are members of the
Second Presbyterian church, with which Mr. Ashton
united about six years ago, and he has had charge of a
number of church orchestras.
Mr. Ashton has composed many popular airs -
beginning at the age of sixteen years. Usually, he
does his composing after returning from parties.
Recently he has formed a stock company among the members of
his own orchestra for the purpose of publishing his
compositions. His latest success is the Gay Tally-Ho,
a popular two-step march.
‡ Source: The Biographical Record of McLean Co.,
Illinois - Illustrated - Publ. Chicago: The S. J. Clarke
Publishing Company - 1899 - Page 239 |
