Thomas C. Ashcroft

Born: 1866

Died: After 1923

Thomas Ashcroft became mayor at the behest of his fellow commissioners during the infamous Four Mayors in One Day episode.  He made a very strong point in openly courting his benefactor E. H. Crump even obsequiously begging for Crump's photo to hang in his office.  He knew that he was out of favor the day that Crump stormed in his office and tore the picture from the wall.

Ashcroft soon saw that Crump was a stern taskmaster and seems to have regretted taking the job.  A year after he became mayor by so circuitous a route he resigned, facing ouster proceeding initiated by Crump.  Below is a somewhat formal biography by one of his contemporaries.

From: Tennessee, the Volunteer State Vol. 3:

Thomas Calvin Ashcroft is a man of diversified talents, ready for any emergency and for any opportunity, as indicated in his life record, which covers early experience as a telegraph operator, activity as a reporter and news editor, occupying an important position with the Associated Press and now controlling important business and financial interests as president of the American Building Loan & Tontine Savings Association. He has also rendered valuable service to city and state in municipal and legislative office, his entire record being characterized by marked devotion to the general good. Mr. Ashcroft was born in Verona, Mississippi, in 1866, and is a son of Thomas Calvin and Laura (Noe) Ashcroft. His father, as the captain in a gallant Mississippi regiment under General Forrest, led the last charge of the forlorn hope at Selma, Alabama, in the Civil war.

To the age of fifteen Thomas C. Ashcroft was largely busy with the duties of the schoolroom and then started out to provide for his own support by beginning work for the Mobile & Ohio Railroad as a telegraph operator. He qualified thoroughly in this respect and seven years later joined the Western Union forces in the same capacity. He was ambitious to utilize every opportunity that came his way, however, and when a youth of twenty-four years he entered the employ of the Associated Press as a reporter and news editor and remained with that organization for a quarter of a century. He made steady advancement in the field of news gathering and during the latter part of that period was in charge of the Memphis office. At length he resigned his position with the Associated Press and through the intervening period to the present has been connected with a number of the large financial institutions of Memphis, including the American Building Loan & Tontine Savings Association, of which he is the president. He finds ready and correct solution for the intricate and financial problems which confront him as one of the representative business men of the city. He possesses keen sagacity and readily discriminates between the essential and the non-essential in business affairs, so that success in substantial measure has crowned his labors.

In 1906 Mr. Ashcroft was united in marriage to Miss Ida Cicalla and they are well known socially in Memphis, where they have an extensive circle of warm friends. Mr. Ashcroft has always given unfaltering allegiance to the democratic party and has taken a deep interest in its growth and success. In 1915 he was elected to the state senate and during his membership in the upper house of the general assembly gave most earnest and thoughtful consideration to all the vital questions which came up for settlement. In 1916 he was chosen mayor of Memphis and gave to the city a businesslike and progressive administration during his two years' term. His activities have thus been many and the results certain, for he is a man of determination and resolution, who carries forward to successful completion whatever he undertakes.