John Ashton (1861-1953) was an English-born American architect from Lawrence, Massachusetts.

Life John Ashton was born September 15, 1861, in England.Gravestone, Bellevue Cemetery, Lawrence He immigrated to the United States in 1875, where he settled in Lawrence. He worked as a mechanic with Joseph James through at least 1889,"LAW.110". mhc-macris.net. Massachusetts Historical Commission, n.d. about the time be appears to have begun to study architecture."LAW.764". mhc-macris.net. Massachusetts Historical Commission, n.d. In 1892 he enrolled in a special course in architecture in the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and opened an office of his own in 1893.Bulletin of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Boston, Register of Former Students (Boston: Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 1915) He quickly rose through the profession, and became a major competitor of the more-established George G. Adams, the city's leading architect."LAW.111". mhc-macris.net. Massachusetts Historical Commission, n.d.

He was a sole practitioner until 1909, when he established a partnership with Albert Senter Huntress. The firm was expanded in 1920 to include John F. Alter.American Contractor 24 April 1920: 41. Chicago. Ashton, Huntress & Alter was dissolved in 1933, when Alter opened his own office.American Architects Directory. New York: R. R. Bowker, 1955. Ashton and Huntress practiced together until 1943, when Ashton retired. Huntress continued the firm, admitting Clarence A. Pratt to the partnership. Ashton, Huntress & Pratt was dissolved upon Pratt's death in 1955.

Personal life Ashton was married to Rebecca Woodworth, and had at least two children. He died September 30, 1953."Obituary" in Technology Review 56, no. 2 (December, 1953): i.

Legacy Several buildings by Ashton and his firms are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Architectural works John Ashton, 1893-1909

Ashton & Huntress, 1909-1920

Ashton, Huntress & Alter, 1920-1933

Ashton & Huntress, 1933-1943

Ashton, Huntress & Pratt, 1943-1955

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