James Ashton

Life & Legacy

James Ashton (8 May 1864 – 6 August 1939) was an Australian newspaperman, politician and businessman. As a politician he represented electorates in the New South Wales Legislative Assembly from 1894 to 1907 and later held a seat in the Legislative Council Ashton was Minister for Lands in the Carruthers government from 1904 to 1907.
From 1888 to 1892 Ashton was a joint-owner of The Riverine Grazier in Hay and sole proprietor of the Narrandera Argus in Narrandera from 1892 to 1896. He entered politics as the member for the Hay electorate in July 1894. After two terms he successfully contested the 1898 election for the Goulburn electorate, remaining the member until 1907. He was appointed to the Legislative Council in 1907, where he served until 1934. Ashton was a respected businessman who was a director of a number of influential companies.