California Biographies, Santa Cruz County
JOSEPH F. ASTON. 

Transcribed by Peggy Hooper

Source:
History of Santa Cruz County, California 
Pacific Press Publishing Company
San Francisco, Cal. 1892
By E. S. Harrison 

This file is part of the California Genealogy & History Archives 
http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~cagha/index.htm

 


JOSEPH F. ASTON. 

Though not a native of California, Mr. Aston has been a resident of the state ever since he was six years old and is 
thoroughly in touch with the progressive element of Watsonville and the Pajaro valley. He was born in New York 
City July 6, 1858, the son of Franklin and Maria (Mannion) Aston, natives respectively of Baltimore, Md., and Ireland. 
They had made their home in the east for some time when, in 1864, they decided to come to the west and grow up with 
the new country. The voyage was made by way of Panama, landing them at San Francisco, where they settled and made 
their home for a number of years, or until April, 1872, when they came to the Pajaro valley and located in Watsonville. 
Here Mr. Aston opened a furniture establishment to which he later added undertaking, a combined business which he car- 
ried on very successfully for a number of years. His popularity among his fellow-citizens and his fitness for office led 
to his election as county assessor in the early '80s, a position which he filled acceptably for one term. His death occurred 
in August, 1894, at the age of sixty-two, while his wife survived until 1899, her death occurring in April of that year. 
Seven children were included in the parental family, all of whom, five daughters and two sons, are living. 

As has been stated, Joseph F. Aston was a lad of six years when removal was made to the west, and in the public schools 
of San Francisco and Watsonville he received his education. Even before his school days were over he began to make 
himself useful in his father's store, and at the time the latter was occupied with his public duties as county assessor the 
management of the business fell almost exclusively upon the shoulders of the son. At the time he was only twenty-three 
years of age, but he proved his capability and the experience which lie then gained he has been able to put to good account 
in later years. In 1884, after his father resumed charge of the business, he went to San Francisco, from there to Tulare 
and Los Angeles, remaining altogether about four years, when he returned to Watsonville and opened an office as architect 
and builder. During the eleven years in which he followed this business he erected a number of substantial buildings in 
Watsonville and vicinity. It was in April, 1899, that Mr. Aston purchased a half interest in the business with which his name 
has since been associated with Mr. Wycoff, under the name of Wycoff & Aston, the leading undertakers of Watsonville. 

Mr. Aston 's marriage, December 18, 1882, united him with Miss Mary Ellen Welch, a native of Watsonville, and the 
daughter of Richard R. Welch, an old-time resident and pioneer of Santa Cruz county. Fraternally Mr. Aston is a 
member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Knights of Columbus, Eagles, and Foresters of America, and 
though interested in political affairs, has no ambition to till public office, preferring to conserve his energies for his busi- 
ness efforts.