R. M. Ashby

As printed in 1909

R. M. ASHBY.

R. M. Ashby, living on section 32, Lime Creek township, is one of the enterprising and progressive farmers who gives his time and attention to the cultivation of three hundred and twenty acres of valuable land. He was born in Washington county, this state, May 9, 1869, a son of E. W. H. and Elizabeth A. (Ihrig) Ashby, natives of West Virginia and Wayne county, Ohio, respectively. The father was but four years of age when he accompanied his parents on their removal to Iowa, and was here reared amid wild scenes and the privations and hardships of pioneer Hfe. At the age of sixteen years he began business on his own account, becoming a dealer in stock. He subsequently purchased a tract of land of eighty acres near the city of Washington, but in 1861 he sold that property and invested in the farm upon which he now resides in Lime Creek township. As the years have come and gone he has accumulated much property, so that he now ranks among the extensive landowners of this county. He is now living retired, having reached the seventy-fifth year of his age. LTnto him and his wife were born seven children, of whom five still survive: 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., of this review; Eleanor and Esther, who are still at home and are operating the home farm of two hundred and seventy acres.

R. M. Ashby was reared to manhood on the home farm and acquired his early education in the common schools of the neighborhood, later supplementing this training by a course of study at Washington Academy.

When not devoting his time to the text-books he assisted his father in the work of the farm and early acquired practical knowledge of the best methods of cultivating the fields. Upon attaining his majority he rented a farm, which he operated for one year. He then became proprietor of the Pilotburg store and was thus connected for two years. Then deciding to make the occupation to which he was reared his life work, he returned to agricultural pursuits, locating upon the farm in Lime Creek township where he now makes his home. He is directing his energies to the cultivation of three hundred and twenty acres of his father's land which, in response to the care and labor expended upon it, is yielding abundant annual harvests. He also makes a specialty of raising and feeding stock and in this branch of his business is meeting with marked and gratifying success.

In 1892 Mr. Ashby laid the foundation for a pleasant home life in his marriage to Miss Lizzie Yeakel, a native of McLean county, Illinois. She is the daughter of James A. and Lethia (Moore) Yeakel. who are yet living and make their home in Fort Scott, Kansas, their family numbering eight children. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Ashby were born the following: Percy E., Lethia E., Charles E., Ralph W., Marion R., James D. and E. W. H.

Mr. Ashby is a member of the Knights of Pythias lodge at Wellman, Iowa, while his wife holds membership in the Methodist Episcopal church. Since age conferred upon him the right of franchise he has been a stalwart supporter of the republican party, and although he is at all times loyal to its principles and does all in his power to further its influence, he is not a politician in the sense of office-seeking, the only public office which he has filled being that of school director. He is not remiss in the duties of citizenship, however, but takes an interest in all those things which are to the true citizen matters of civic virtue and civic pride, while his many good personal qualities have won for him the regard and good will of his fellowmen.

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.