E. W. H. Ashby

As printed in 1909

E. W. H. ASHBY.

E. W. H. Ashby is an e.extensive landowner, having seven hundred acres in this county. In all of his business affairs he manifests a spirit of keen, discrimination and undaunted enterprise which has led him into important relations with agricultural interests. From time to time he has increased his holdings by judicious investment until toda\- he derives a very substantial and gratifying income from his property.

His birth occurred in West Virginia, December 1, 1834, and he was one of the seven children born unto Jesse and Elizabeth Ashby, who were likewise natives of the same state. They came to Iowa in 1839 when it was still a territory and cast in their lot with the pioneer settlers of Washington county. This region was then largely wild and unimproved, much of its land being still in possession of the government, while over the broad prairies grew the native grasses, giving little indication that the district would soon be transformed into fine farms bringing forth rich crops of marketable products. Roth Mr. and Mrs. Jesse Ashby continued residents of this county until called to their final home.

The subject of this review was but four years of age when brought by his parents to Iowa. He started out in life for himself at the age of sixteen years. He had previously shared with the family in all of the hardships, privations and trials incident to frontier life and later he entered upon the arduous task of providing for his own support when he was still but a boy. He commenced dealing in stock and as soon as he had accumulated a little money he purchased a tract of land, becoming owner of eighty acres near the city of Washington. He further completed his arrangements for having a home of his own by his marriage when twenty-six years of age. The lady of his choice was Miss Elizabeth A. Ihrig, who was born in Wayne county, Ohio, August 21, 1840, and was a daughter of Peter and Christina (Rillman) Ihrig. Her mother was a native of Pennsylvania. while her father was born in Germany. He came to America in his boyhood days and established his home in Ohio, where he continued to reside until his death. Unto him and his wife were born six children.

Following their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Ashby began their domestic life upon a farm of eighty acres in Washington township, where they lived until 1861, when he sold that property and invested in a farm on which they are now residing in Lime Creek township. Mr. Ashby now owns seven hundred acres of land in Lime Creek and Cedar townships, constituting a splendidly improved property. As his financial resources increased he kept adding to his holdings until he became one of the extensive landowners of the county, driving a most gratifying annual income from his farms. He has always made a specialty of raising and feeding stock, handling good grades, so that they bring high prices on the market.

Unto Mr. and Mrs. Ashby were born seven children, five of whom are still living: Viola M., the wife of Ezra Gardner, who is mentioned elsewhere in this volume; Jessie J., the wife of Don Brimley, living in Cedar township; Ralph M., who resides in Lime Creek township: Eleanor and Esther, who spent two years at the Iowa State University and are members of the Delta Gamma Society, while Esther was also a member of the Iowa Lane Society. Eleanor is also a professional nurse and for a time was a visiting nurse in Chicago. These two sisters are now at home and are operating the home farm of two hundred and seventy acres, known as the Pilot Grove farm. They conduct business under the firm name of E. & E. Ashby and deserve great credit for the manner in which they are carrying on the business, displaying excellent management and keen discernment in the conduct of their interests. They are now making a specialty of raising and breeding the Red Bacon Tanworth hogs, which are today considered the finest on sale.

Mr. Ashby gives his political support to the republican party but has never desired office. He is now in the seventy-fifth year of his age and largely leaves business cares to others while he is enjoying well earned rest. He has ever been a man of resolute spirit, swift in decision, energetic and persistent in action, quick in perception and stable in purpose. His is the record of a strong individuality and a strenuous life which has gained and merited its own just reward.

As printed in History of Washington County, Iowa from the first white settlements to 1908. Also biographical sketches of some prominent citizens of the county (1909). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.