Benjamin ASBURY was born in Fairfax county, Virginia, and when a youth moved to Kentucky, thence to Indiana and finally to Iowa. His occupation was that of a blacksmith and farmer. He was a soldier of the "Graybeard" regiment, the 37th Regiment of the Iowa Volunteer Infantry.

He made his home in Monroe and Ringgold counties, Iowa, until his death, which occurred in 1899, at the age of ninety-five years. He was a stanch Whig and later a Republican, and was a great admirer of Henry CLAY.

He married Mary "Polly" PORTER, who was born in Kentucky and is now living in Ringgold county, Iowa, at the advanced age of ninety-one years. Her grandfather was also a soldier in the Revolutionary War. This union was blessed with five children, as follows: Emily (CLEARY), who was born in Indiana and resides on a farm in Keokuk county, Iowa; Thomas, a physician and druggist of Ringgold county, Iowa; W. H. H., the subject of this biography; and Mary Ann (NEIDIGH), and Benjamin, Jr., a mechanic, both living in Ringgold county, Iowa.

William H. H. ASBURY attended the common schools in Indiana and Iowa, and engaged in farming up to the time of the Civil War. He then enlisted in Company E, 3d Regiment, Iowa Volunteer Cavalry, as a private, and later served as sergeant for one and a half years. He was wounded to such an extent that he was incapacitated for duty, and was discharged on that account, after participating in several minor engagements. He was mustered out in 1863 and returned to Iowa, where he, in turn, farmed and taught school in Monroe county until 1865, when he came to Wapello county and engaged in merchandising. Here he served as deputy sheriff for two years. In 1872-1873 he served in the capacity of deputy county treasurer. He served as treasurer during 1874, 1875, 1876 and 1877, and again as deputy treasurer in 1880 and 1881.

He next engaged in the mercantile and real estate lines, and for a time, prior to 1890, was in the government revenue service. Since that date he has devoted his attention exclusively to the real estate business, in partnership with John B. MOWREY, his present office being at No. 101 North Court street. He is very progressive and enterprising in his business methods, and has met with marked success. He is a man of pleasing personality and has scores of friends wherever he has lived.

Mr. ASBURY was united in marriage, in Wapello county, with Mary E. JAY, who was born in Ohio in 1841, and came to this state at the age of thirteen years, accompanying her father, Job P. JAY, a prominent Quaker. They became the parents of three children, — two of whom, sons, died in infancy. A daughter, Bertha, aged twenty years, is a graduate of the Ottumwa public schools, and is living at home. She is a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution.

Mr. ASBURY is a Republican in politics, and has served in the city council from the Third Ward, in which he lives, having built a comfortable home on Maple avenue. Fraternally, he is a Knight Templar and a member of Cloutman Post, No. 69, G. A. R., having served in all chairs of the local post. He is also a member of the Sons of the American Revolution. Mrs. ASBURY is a member of the AVomen's Relief Corps. Mr. ASBURY holds to Unitarian doctrines, while his wife is a member of the Presbyterian church and of the various church organizatios.

SOURCE: EVANS, Samuel B.History of Wapello County, Iowa and Representative Citizens Pp/ 263-63. Chicago. 1901.

Transcription by Sharon R. Becker, May of 2010