Ashley, Charles Baron 1841-1929

ASHLEY, BARBER, RICHARDS, RUTHERFORD

Posted By: Jill McCarville (email)
Date: 11/8/2013 at 18:04:20

CIVIL WAR VETERAN ANSWERS LAST CALL

Passes Away Friday Morning in Cresco Following Brief Illness
Had a Long and Honorable Record as Citizen and Soldier in Civil War

Charles B. Ashley, pioneer resident of Howard county and Civil War veteran died at his home in Cresco, Friday, Jan. 18. His last illness was of short duration; only about three weeks before his death he had taken his customary daily walk about town.

Funeral services were held in the Methodist church Sunday afternoon and the church was filled with sympathizing friends who came to pay their last respects to a good citizen and neighbor.

Mr. Ashley had been a member of the local G.A.R. post since its organization and five members of the post were present at the funeral- Clinton Fifield, Robt. Rose, John Hallman, Charles Miller and Ira Wheeler.

On account of the cold the commitment ceremony was performed in the church instead of at the grave. The ritual of the G.A.R. was used. Comrade Fifield bearing the colors and Comrade Rose laying a wreath on the flag draped casket and repeated the words; "In behalf of the Post, I give this tribute, a symbol of an undying love for comrades of the war." Messrs. LeRoy Brown and L.R. Fields of the Legion read the balance of the burial service. A male quartet composed of Messrs. C.C. Burgess, W.H. Patterson, F.D. Mead and J.H. Burgess sang. Rev. F.H Weed preached a short sermon and read the following sketch of the life of Deceased:

Charles Baron Ashley, second son of Carlos C. and Helen Ashley, was born in Nunsday, Livingston county, New York, on the 18th day of July, 1841.
He died at his home in Cresco, Friday morning, January 18, 1929, at the age of eighty-seven years and six months.

Charles B. Ashley moved with his parents from New York state to Wisconsin in 1857, joining that procession of pioneers to the underdeveloped western country. After spending two years in Wisconsin the Ashleys moved to Howard county, Iowa, and purchased the farm in Albion township. The farm was purchased from a man named McCarty who had pre-empted the land four years earlier. Charles B. Ashley who was then a young man of eighteen years of age, assisted his father in the development and improvement of the home place. In August 1861, he responded to the country's call for troops to aid in the preservation on the Union, joining Company I of the Ninth Iowa Infantry, which he served throughout the entire period of hostilities between North and South. Thee Ninth Iowa infantry marched from New Oregon to McGregor from which place the men were transported by water to Dubuque.There they joined Companys H and D in the Ninth Iowa Infantry. From Dubuque they embarked on the steamer "Canada" September 26th and arrived at St. Louis September 30th.

He was located first at Franklin, Mo., guarding the railroad until the Pea Ridge Campaign opened in the middle of January, 1862. After the battle of Pea Ridge, March 7 and 8, he accompanied his regiment through Arkansas to Helena on the Mississippi, and was with Sherman in the first Vicksburg Campaign which resulted in the battle of Chickasaw Bluffs on December 29, 1862. His regiment then returned to Young's Point. In the Vicksburg Campaign he participated in the battles of Raymond and Jackson and the siege, joining in the assaults of May 19 and 22nd, and was present at the surrender on July 4. Other important battles in which Mr. Ashley participated were: Lookout Mountain; Missionary Ridge; and Ringgold Gap.

Shortly after July 4, 1863, his regimen started on "Sherman's March to the Sea." While fighting for his country he was honored with three promotions; to Corporal, July 1, 1862; to Sergeant, May 24, 1862, and to First Lieutenant, June 15, 1865. He was mustered out July 21, 1865, at Louisville, Kentucky.

He then returned to the farm in Howard county and on March 17, 1872, he was married to miss Emmogene Barber. To them were born six children, one of whom died in early childhood.The five surviving are: Mrs. Helen Ashley Richards of Marchand, Manitoba, Canada; Miss Sylvia B. at home; William R. of Albion township; Erwin M. at home, and Mrs. May Ashley Rutherford on the old home farm in Albion township. He also leaves six grandchildren and two great grandchildren. His wife preceded him in death, having died in the spring of 1919.

And thus another of our honored and aged veterans of the Civil War has slipped away from us. He was the last of the sixty-eight volunteers from Howard county who enlisted at New Oregon in Company I, Ninth Iowa Infantry.

Mr. Ashley was an honored, honest, and upright citizen. He was just in his dealings with his fellow men. He was active and industrious and interested in the affairs of the community. He served in several township offices and at all times discharged his public duties with marked capability and promptness.He was always intensely patriotic and loyal to his country. He was a member of the Memorial Post No. 216 G.A.R. and up to the very last month of his life he was a faithful attendant at the regular frequent meetings of the Post, and enjoyed frequent visits with his old Comrades.

The Howard County Times January 23, 1929 Page 1
Transcribed by Jill McCarville from the files of Janice Sowers

Oak Lawn Cemetery
 

Howard Obituaries maintained by Constance McDaniel Hall.
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