John Ashton (architect)
John Ashton (1860-1953) was an American architect from Lawrence, Massachusetts. Life. Ashton was born in England in 1860, immigrating to the United States in 1875, where he settled in Lawrence. He worked as a mechanic with Joseph James through at least 1889, about the time be appears to have begun to study architecture. He opened an office of his own in 1893. He quickly rose through the profession, and became a major competitor of the more-established George G. Adams, the city's leading architect. 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. Ashton, Huntress & Alter was dissolved in 1933, when Alter opened his own office. 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. Huntress' fate is unknown, but Ashton died in 1953. Legacy. Several buildings by Ashton and his firms are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.