ASHMEAD, Clarkson - 1912 Bio (1829-1903)

ASHMEAD, MILLESON, MCCUTCHEON, SHELBY

Posted By: Debbie Nash (email)
Date: 11/3/2002 at 01:20:17

From the History of Jefferson County - 1912, Volume II
Pages 153-155

CLARKSON ASHMEAD

One by one the soldiers of the Civil war answer to the last roll call and pass on to join the greater army of the boys in blue, who have gone before. Clarkson ASHMEAD was among those who were spared to enjoy for many years the peace and prosperity which came to the country following the cessation of hostilities between the north and the south. Patriotism ever remained one of his dominant qualities, for he was as loyal to his country in times of peace as he was when he followed the nation's starry banner on the battlefields of the south. His birth occurred in Washington county, Pennsylvania, June 8, 1829, his parents being Samuel and Abigail (MILLESON) ASHMEAD, who were natives of Maryland and Pennsylvania, respectively. The father was a farmer by occupation and for many years cultivated a tract of land in the Keystone state but in 1855 he left the east and came to Iowa, settling in Jefferson county. He purchased and improved a farm in Cedar township, continuing its cultivation until his death, and his wife also passed away upon the old homestead.

Clarkson ASHMEAD came to Jefferson county with his parents when a young man of twenty-six years. He had acquired his education in the schools of Pennsylvania and had afterward learned the carpenter's trade, at which he worked until he came to Iowa. He then took up farming in connection with his father and following the latter's death, he rented a farm, which he operated for a year. At the end of that time he went to Missouri, where he purchased an improved tract of land, making his home thereon for ten years. He returned to Iowa and purchased a farm near Brookville, to the further development and cultivation of which he devoted his energies until 1901, when his children having married and left home and his own health being somewhat impaired he retired from the farm and removed to Fairfield, where his remaining days were passed, his death occurring in February, 1903. As an agriculturist he had labored diligently and untiringly and had converted the once wild prairie into a productive tract, gathering large harvests as a reward of his persistent and practical methods. He kept everything about the place in a state of good repair and neatness, and thrift pervaded every part of the farm.

On the 8th of January, 1852, Mr. ASHMEAD was married to Miss Jane McCUTCHEON, a daughter of John and Mary (McCUTCHEON) McCUTCHEON, who though of the same name were not relatives. The father was born in Ireland and the mother in Pennsylvania. When he was but twelve years of age the family came to the new world, settling in the Keystone state, where he secured employment in the iron works of Pittsburg. Later he engaged in farming for a number of years and was a resident of that part of the country up to the time of his death, which occurred in the city of Pittsburg. His wife passed away in Brownsville, Pennsylvania. To Mr. and Mrs. ASHMEAD were born five children, two of whom died in Pennsylvania in infancy. Those still living are: Benson C., a resident farmer of Davis county, Iowa; Addie May, the wife of Moses B. SHELBY, a resident farmer of the state of Washington; and Uel J., who is also engaged in farming in Washington.

While Mr. ASHMEAD devoted the greater part of his life to general agricultural pursuits he allowed nothing to interfere with what he considered his duty to his country in the dark days of the Civil war. Responding to the call for aid he enlisted as a member of Company E, Thirteenth Iowa Infantry and the hardships and rigors of war were such that his health became undermined and his death was really the result of his military experience. He held membership in the Grand Army of the Republic in connection with the post at Batavia and he thus enjoyed meeting with his old comrades. He always voted with the republican party and his religious faith was that of the Methodist church, to which his wife and family belonged. For many years he was a resident of Jefferson county and his good qualities were recognized by all with whom he came in contact. He worked earnestly and persistently in the cultivation and improvement of his farm, was ever willing to give his support to progressive measures for the benefit of the community and at all times cast his influence on the side of the right, justice and truth. Mrs. ASHMEAD still survives her husband and now resides in a pleasant home, at No. 406 West Briggs street in Fairfield.

I am copying this information for the benefit of genealogical research and am not related to said individuals.