Ashley, Lucy Mrs. J. A 1866-1950

ASHLEY, HUBBARD

Posted By: Wilma J. Vande Berg - Volunteer (email)
Date: 3/23/2012 at 12:21:19

Rites Held For Widow Of Man Who Helped Plat City Mrs. J. A. Ashley Dies In Sioux Falls; Was First
Movie Accompaniest Here

Burial was made at Grace Hill cemetery in Hawarden Monday for Mrs. J. A. Ashley, old time resident, who died at the age of 83 in Sioux Falls early Friday following a heart attack in the night. Funeral services were held in Sioux
Falls.

Mrs. Ashley was the widow of James Alton Ashley, real estate man who helped plat Hawarden when the Northwestern railroad was extended here. Following the death of his first wife, he married
Lucy Esther Hibbard in Vermont and brought her to his home in 1892.

A piano instructor for 50 years, she was organist and choir director of the First Congregational church until the death of Mr.
Ashley in 1917, after which the family moved to Sioux Falls.

Mrs. Ashley and her daughter, Lucy, were the earliest motion picture accompanists in Hawarden,
playing for the silent films over a long period.
While absent from Hawarden for many years, Mrs. Ashley is remembered by many who were her piano pupils here or in nearby towns, were in her choirs or in her Sunday school classes.

The former Lucy E. Hibbard was born May 31, 1866, at Hereford, Quebec, Canada, and was reared
in that community. She studied music in Boston and taught school in Vermont before her marriage.
She continued her music, church and lodge activities in Sioux Falls into her last year. She was a past noble grand in the Rebekah lodge
and, after being secretary for 12. years and editor for five years, was on the state board of directors of the South Dakota Christian
Missionaries association of the First Christian church at the time of her death.

Survivors are a step-daughter, Mrs. J. T. Morrison of Ft. Worth, Tex., who had just returned home from the four-month world cruise
of the new Caronia; a daughter, Miss Lucy Ashley of Sioux Falls; two sons, James D. Ashley, city
editor of the Sioux Palls Argus Leader, and Warren H. Ashley, Anaconda, Mont., and two grandchildren