William Albert Ashbrook (July 1, 1867 – January 1, 1940) was an American businessman, newspaper publisher, and Democratic politician from Ohio.

William A. Ashbrook
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Ohio's 17th district
In office
March 4, 1907 – March 3, 1921
Preceded byMartin L. Smyser
Succeeded byWilliam M. Morgan
In office
January 3, 1935 – January 1, 1940
Preceded byCharles F. West
Succeeded byJ. Harry McGregor
Member of the Ohio House of Representatives
from the Licking County district
In office
January 1, 1906 – March 3, 1907
Preceded byCharles D. Watkins
Succeeded byRobert W. Howard
Personal details
Born
William Albert Ashbrook

(1867-07-01)July 1, 1867
Johnstown, Ohio
DiedJanuary 1, 1940(1940-01-01) (aged 72)
Washington, D.C.
Resting placeGreen Hill Cemetery, Johnstown
Political partyDemocratic
ChildrenJohn M. Ashbrook
Signature

He was born near Johnstown, Licking County, Ohio, and attended the local public schools. Later, he studied business in Lansing, Michigan.

In 1884 he founded a newspaper, The Johnstown Independent. He also engaged in banking. From 1893 to 1897 he served as postmaster of Johnstown.

He entered politics as a Democrat and won a seat to the Ohio House of Representatives in 1904. In 1906 he was elected to the U.S. House, where he served until he was defeated in the 1920 elections. Returning home, he resumed his newspaper publishing and banking career in Johnstown. He married Marie Swank and they had a son, John M. Ashbrook, in 1928. He ran in a successful comeback campaign for Congress in 1934, and served there until his death.

His son John would later succeed him in that congressional seat from 1961 to 1982 as a Republican.

See also

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  • United States Congress. "William A. Ashbrook (id: A000306)". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.
  • "Memorial Services held in the House of Representatives of the United States, together with remarks presented in eulogy of William Albert Ashbrook late a Representative from Ohio frontispiece 1941"
U.S. House of Representatives
Preceded by Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Ohio's 17th congressional district

1907–1921
Succeeded by
Preceded by Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Ohio's 17th congressional district

1935–1940
Succeeded by