John Trostle is an enterprising and successful business man, the owner and operator of the East Elevator at Ashton. He was born in Frederick County, Md., November 1, 1855. He was reared on a farm in his native county until he was eighteen yean of age, when he came to Franklin Grove, IL., where he learned the carpenters trade under J.L. Strock and J. C. Spangler, working at it for twelve years, He then came to Ashton and rented the East Elevator which he operated for three years, at the end of that time becoming its purchaser. It has capacity of fifteen thousand bushels and has proved a great convenience to the farmers in the disposal of their grain. In the hands of such a competent business man as Mr. Trostle, the business has income one of importance and has proved a financial success.

Mr. Trostle was married in Nachusa, December 3, 1877 to Miss Minerva A. Brierton, who was born in this county, in February, 1856. They have one adopted child, Lottie M. The parents of our subject, Jacob D., and Sarah (Pfount) Trostle, were natives of Adams County, Fa., and are now residing in Dickinson County, Kan. They have had twelve children, of whom John M. was fifth in the order of birth. Mr. Trostle is a stanch Republican and has always been very active in political affairs and, in fact in whatever relates to the welfare of his community. He is Chairman of the Ashton Township Republican Committee, and was for four years a member of the Village Board in Franklin Grove. At present he is serving as Mayor of Ashton, which office he has held for two terms, being first elected in the spring of 1889, and re-elected in the spring of 1891. Under his wise supervision the affairs of the town are in a nourishing condition, he giving much attention to the various projects which tend to the upbuilding of the community. Socially he is a member of the Masonic fraternity.

Transcribed by Christine Walters - Portraits and Biographical Lee Co. 1892