In the book's own words, not ours, with obvious scanning errors fixed. A few names of people born after 1905 are withheld for privacy. Families often supplied these stories to the publisher, so check key dates.
Born 1879, Des Moines township
From An illustrated history of Jackson County, Minnesota (1910)
LOUIS W. ASHLEY (1879), proprietor of a dray line in the village of Jackson, was born in Des Moines township,.Jackson county, September 26, 1879, the oldest son of Leonard and Mary (Thomas) Ashley, who reside just south of Jackson, and who are old settlers of the county.
Louis received his education in the Jackson schools. He worked on his father's farm and at different occupations until reaching his majority. He moved to Jackson in 1900 and for two years worked with the telephone company. In 1902 he engaged in the dray business, which he has since followed. He is a member of the M. W. A. lodge and of the Equitable Fraternal union.
Mr. Ashley was married in the comity June 22, 1907, to Lydia Raasch, daughter of the late Carl Raasch and Mrs. Raasch. One child has been born to this union, [name withheld], born January 24, 1909.
As printed in An illustrated history of Jackson County, Minnesota (1910). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.
The printed record stops around 1910. We trace your line from there down to you, with every source cited.