Twice-A-Week News
Mount Ayr, Ringgold County, Iowa
June 12, 1896

A well-known person in Ringgold county political, civic and military circles is Capt. Robert F. ASKREN, the subject of this write-up. Capt. ASKREN came to Ringgold county in 1870 from Springfield, Ill., where he was admitted to the bar in 1869. He was born in Indiana in 1840 and at the age of 21 entered the military service of the United States, serving nearly two years of his enlistment in the 40th Indiana, better known as "BLAKE'S Gray Hounds" from their fleetness on the march. At the above time he recieved an honorable discharge on account of physical disabilities and devoted his time to the study of law with the success already noted.

In 1872, Capt. ASKREN entered upon his duties as county superintendent, serving acceptably for one term. He was elected county auditor in 1877 but refused a re-election as his law practice precluded his attending to the duties of the office all of the first term. His brother, Jas. C. ASKREN, was deputy the first term, and elected the following term.

Capt. ASKREN had been the prosecuting attorney for some time previous to his election as first county attorney of the county in 1887. He has been prominent in Iowa national guard circles and was captain of Co. "H" 5th Reg. I.N.G. during its term of enlistment from 1879 to 1884; was the ranking captain and "H" was the color company.

Capt. ASKREN was a resident of St. Joe [Missouri] from 1889 to 1895 and has returned to make Mt. Ayr his future home.

He was assessor of Mt. Ayr township for one year and was elected mayor last March.

Since he assumed the duties of the office, he has shown a disposition to faithfully and fearlessly enforce the laws, and has won the merited admiration of the best citizens of the town.

Mr. ASKREN is a trustee of the United Presbyterian church. He was married in 1883 to Miss Nettie LAWHEAD. They are the parents of a bright family of five children.

Submission by Mike Avitt
Transcription and note by Sharon R. Becker, September of 2010

ROBERT F. ASKREN, attorney at law, and one of the prominent citizens of Mt. Ayr, is a native of Indiana, born on a farm in Boone County, November 12, 1840. His parents, David and Mary (CRAIG) ASKREN, were natives of the State of Ohio, the father born in Adams County. They were among the early settlers of Indiana, removing from Ohio to that State in 1832, when they settled in Boone County, moving thence to Clinton County, and later to Tippecanoe County.

Robert F., our subject, grew to manhood on his father's farm in his native State, receiving his primary education in the schools of his neighborhood.

In 1861 he enlisted in the service of his country in Company G, Fortieth Indiana Infantry. He was in the Army of the Cumberland, and participated in the battles of Shiloh, Perryville and Stone River, and was in the service for two years, when he was discharged on account of ill health, in January, 1963, after which he returned to Tippecanoe County, and was unable to do anything until 1865.

In that year he entered Augustina Seminary, then located at Paxton, Illinois, where he prosecuted his studies about two years. He then began reading law in the office of c. H. FREW, of Paxton, and in 1869 was admitted to the bar.

He came to Mt. Ayr, Ringgold County, Iowa, in the spring of 1870, and opened a law office, being associated with his brother J. C. ASKREN, under the firm name of ASKREN Brothers for a short time, since which he has conducted the office alone.

Mr. ASKREN was united in marriage in 1874 to Miss Ada J. OSBORN, of Mt. Ayr, and to this union have been born four children, two sons and two daughters.

Mr. ASKREN has held the office of mayor of Mt. Ayr, was county superintendent of schools four years, and in the fall of 1876 was elected county auditor, serving as such one term. For the past three years he has held the office of county attorney. He is a member of both the Masonic and Odd Fellows orders, and also belongs to the Grand Army of the Republic.

NOTE: Robert F. ASKREN died in 1909 and was interred at Rose Hill Cemetery, Mount Ayr, Ringgold County, Iowa. Adelaide J."Ada" (OSBORN) ASKREN was born in 1853, and died in 1926 with interment beside her husband Robert.

SOURCES:
Biography & Historical Record of Ringgold County, Iowa, Pp. 329-30, 1887.

WPA Graves Survey

Transcription and note by Sharon R. Becker, March of 2009