LEWIS S. ASHBY
Lewis
S. Ashby, who for a number of years has been connected with
agricultural and mercantile interests in Lucas county, is a
native of Otter Creek township, where he was born on September
7, 1861. His
parents had come in the same year from Indiana to Iowa,
settling in Otter Creek township in May, 1861, and there the
father followed farming and stock raising. Natives of Kentucky
and Pennsylvania respectively, William H. and Margaretta
(Boyer) Ashby were among the early settlers of this section,
the father, who was born in December, 1821, passing away in
Otter Creek township on April 26, 1875, and the mother, born
November 28, 1823, dying in the same township on December 30,
1902. In their
family were nine children:
Mrs. Elizabeth L. Yenawine, born August 10, 1846, who
died in Illinois in March, 1872; Mrs. Mary C. Long, born
December 18, 1848, a resident of Twin Falls, Idaho; A. C.,
born July 21, 1850, who resides in New Market, Tennessee; John
B., born June 7, 1852, who died in 1870; Thompson D., who for
the past thirty-four years has engaged in farming and stock
raising in Otter Creek township; Newton B., born July 7, 1856,
a resident of Des Moines, Iowa, and formerly United States
consul to Ireland with residence in Dublin, Ireland, an
appointment which he held under the presidency of Grover
Cleveland for eight years; George Lucky, born December 18,
1858, who makes his home in St. Paul, Texas; Lewis S., of this
review; and William E., born February 11, 1864, who is
connected with the telephone company in Des Moines and was
formerly engaged in the same business in Chariton, Iowa. The seven eldest
children were born in Indiana and the two youngest in Lucas
county.
Lewis
S. Ashby was reared under the parental roof and in the
acquirement of his education attended the common schools in
the vicinity of his father’s farm and took a four years’
course at Simpson College of Indianola, Iowa. Of studious mind
and well fitted for the profession, he then followed school
teaching for about six years in Iowa and Nebraska and then
engaged in farming, being well qualified for this occupation
by his early training under his father’s guidance. In 1901 he engaged
in the general merchandise business at Norwood, Iowa, and has
ever since conducted an establishment of this kind there.
Following progressive methods, his business has increased from
year to year and he now enjoys an extensive patronage. He carries complete
lines of stock and as his prices are in conformity with the
quality of his goods, does a large trade.
Mr. Ashby gives his general allegiance to the republican party, although he reserves independent judgment on local issues, giving his support to such candidates and measures as he deems most fitted for the office irrespective of party affiliation. Public-spirited and progressive, he has himself actively participated in the public life of his locality and has held a number of local offices. His faith is that of the Methodist Episcopal church, of which he is a member, taking an active and helpful interest in its affairs. Fraternally he is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, belonging to Norwood Lodge, No. 490, and he also belongs to the Modern Woodmen lodge of the same place. Moreover he carries a membership in the Brotherhood of American Yeomen at Des Moines, Iowa. The career of Mr. Ashby is proof of the fact that success is but ambition’s answer and the substantial position which he has attained is well earned and well merited. He is a forceful element in his community and by his labors has not only promoted his individual success but has largely contributed to general advancement and development.