Martin Van Buren Ashby was born February 25, 1837 in Harrison, Ohio, and died December 9, 1905 in Creston, Ia. He was the son of John Ashby (6/2/1810-2/18/1881) and Elizabeth Looker (10/26/1818 - 1/21/1854). Martin attended Common School and a business college. After finishing school, adventure some young Martin took a position as cabin boy on a line of steamers running from Cincinnati, Ohio to Cairo, Ill, and on to Burlington Ia. It was a time with steamboats were gracefully built, had speed, and passenger accommodations were almost luxurious. They provided just about everything but safety. Three years was the average life of a boat, no matter how palatial. Most boats were lost by striking snags, but for Martin there were many exciting aspects. There was entertainment on board, and any time two boats met, there was a race. When the steamboat pulled into town with a long mellow blast of a whistle, people from every direction moved down to the river to see who was on board and to hear the latest news of other places.
In May 1861 Martin enlisted in the 16th Illinois Regiment. He served in various battles and was with Sherman on his march to the sea. He was honorably discharged July 1865. In 1868 Martin came to Afton, Ia. where he farmed and worked as a newspaper reporter. In 1878 he was elected County Surveyor and filled that position for over twenty years. He was one of the founders of the Christian Church in Afton. He also assisted and was secretary of the first Sunday School Convention in the county.
On Oct 27 1869 Martin married Elizabeth Brown (10/24/1841 - 8/2/1874).They were the parents of Blanche (7/23/1870) and Earl (5/27/1874 -8/7/1874). December 9, 1878 Martin married Eleanor West Eastman, a widow (8/29/1850-12/1916). Their children were: John Blaine (3/23/1884 -6/19/1914), Horace Perigo (7/19/1882-3/1960), Charles Looker (10/18/1886-7/18/1864), Eleanor Ruth (1/6/1894).
Those who knew Martin well described him as a consistent Christian and said that he was a delightful companion and genial parent. He was considered one of the best informed persons on the history of the county and he had a prodigious memory. Both of Martin's ancestral homes have been beautifully restored. The Ashby Home, "Yew Hill" is in Fauquier Co.,Va. and is a typical pioneer home. It was built by Martin's great grandfather Robert Ashby, in 1747. Robert was a surveyor. George Washington made "Yew Hill" his headquarters when in the vicinity. He speaks in his diary many times of his friend Robert Ashby and on staying at "Yew Hill." Martin's maternal grandfather, Othniel Looker, built a home in Harrison, Ohio in 1804, which still stands, Othniel was the fifth governor of Ohio, and fought in important battles in the revolution.
Biography Written by Kathryn Ashby Johnson
In May 1861 Martin enlisted in the 16th Illinois Regiment. He served in various battles and was with Sherman on his march to the sea. He was honorably discharged July 1865. In 1868 Martin came to Afton, Ia. where he farmed and worked as a newspaper reporter. In 1878 he was elected County Surveyor and filled that position for over twenty years. He was one of the founders of the Christian Church in Afton. He also assisted and was secretary of the first Sunday School Convention in the county.
On Oct 27 1869 Martin married Elizabeth Brown (10/24/1841 - 8/2/1874).They were the parents of Blanche (7/23/1870) and Earl (5/27/1874 -8/7/1874). December 9, 1878 Martin married Eleanor West Eastman, a widow (8/29/1850-12/1916). Their children were: John Blaine (3/23/1884 -6/19/1914), Horace Perigo (7/19/1882-3/1960), Charles Looker (10/18/1886-7/18/1864), Eleanor Ruth (1/6/1894).
Those who knew Martin well described him as a consistent Christian and said that he was a delightful companion and genial parent. He was considered one of the best informed persons on the history of the county and he had a prodigious memory. Both of Martin's ancestral homes have been beautifully restored. The Ashby Home, "Yew Hill" is in Fauquier Co.,Va. and is a typical pioneer home. It was built by Martin's great grandfather Robert Ashby, in 1747. Robert was a surveyor. George Washington made "Yew Hill" his headquarters when in the vicinity. He speaks in his diary many times of his friend Robert Ashby and on staying at "Yew Hill." Martin's maternal grandfather, Othniel Looker, built a home in Harrison, Ohio in 1804, which still stands, Othniel was the fifth governor of Ohio, and fought in important battles in the revolution.
Biography Written by Kathryn Ashby Johnson
Martin Van Buren Ashby was born February 25, 1837 in Harrison, Ohio, and died December 9, 1905 in Creston, Ia. He was the son of John Ashby (6/2/1810-2/18/1881) and Elizabeth Looker (10/26/1818 - 1/21/1854). Martin attended Common School and a business college. After finishing school, adventure some young Martin took a position as cabin boy on a line of steamers running from Cincinnati, Ohio to Cairo, Ill, and on to Burlington Ia. It was a time with steamboats were gracefully built, had speed, and passenger accommodations were almost luxurious. They provided just about everything but safety. Three years was the average life of a boat, no matter how palatial. Most boats were lost by striking snags, but for Martin there were many exciting aspects. There was entertainment on board, and any time two boats met, there was a race. When the steamboat pulled into town with a long mellow blast of a whistle, people from every direction moved down to the river to see who was on board and to hear the latest news of other places.
In May 1861 Martin enlisted in the 16th Illinois Regiment. He served in various battles and was with Sherman on his march to the sea. He was honorably discharged July 1865. In 1868 Martin came to Afton, Ia. where he farmed and worked as a newspaper reporter. In 1878 he was elected County Surveyor and filled that position for over twenty years. He was one of the founders of the Christian Church in Afton. He also assisted and was secretary of the first Sunday School Convention in the county.
On Oct 27 1869 Martin married Elizabeth Brown (10/24/1841 - 8/2/1874).They were the parents of Blanche (7/23/1870) and Earl (5/27/1874 -8/7/1874). December 9, 1878 Martin married Eleanor West Eastman, a widow (8/29/1850-12/1916). Their children were: John Blaine (3/23/1884 -6/19/1914), Horace Perigo (7/19/1882-3/1960), Charles Looker (10/18/1886-7/18/1864), Eleanor Ruth (1/6/1894).
Those who knew Martin well described him as a consistent Christian and said that he was a delightful companion and genial parent. He was considered one of the best informed persons on the history of the county and he had a prodigious memory. Both of Martin's ancestral homes have been beautifully restored. The Ashby Home, "Yew Hill" is in Fauquier Co.,Va. and is a typical pioneer home. It was built by Martin's great grandfather Robert Ashby, in 1747. Robert was a surveyor. George Washington made "Yew Hill" his headquarters when in the vicinity. He speaks in his diary many times of his friend Robert Ashby and on staying at "Yew Hill." Martin's maternal grandfather, Othniel Looker, built a home in Harrison, Ohio in 1804, which still stands, Othniel was the fifth governor of Ohio, and fought in important battles in the revolution.
Biography Written by Kathryn Ashby Johnson
In May 1861 Martin enlisted in the 16th Illinois Regiment. He served in various battles and was with Sherman on his march to the sea. He was honorably discharged July 1865. In 1868 Martin came to Afton, Ia. where he farmed and worked as a newspaper reporter. In 1878 he was elected County Surveyor and filled that position for over twenty years. He was one of the founders of the Christian Church in Afton. He also assisted and was secretary of the first Sunday School Convention in the county.
On Oct 27 1869 Martin married Elizabeth Brown (10/24/1841 - 8/2/1874).They were the parents of Blanche (7/23/1870) and Earl (5/27/1874 -8/7/1874). December 9, 1878 Martin married Eleanor West Eastman, a widow (8/29/1850-12/1916). Their children were: John Blaine (3/23/1884 -6/19/1914), Horace Perigo (7/19/1882-3/1960), Charles Looker (10/18/1886-7/18/1864), Eleanor Ruth (1/6/1894).
Those who knew Martin well described him as a consistent Christian and said that he was a delightful companion and genial parent. He was considered one of the best informed persons on the history of the county and he had a prodigious memory. Both of Martin's ancestral homes have been beautifully restored. The Ashby Home, "Yew Hill" is in Fauquier Co.,Va. and is a typical pioneer home. It was built by Martin's great grandfather Robert Ashby, in 1747. Robert was a surveyor. George Washington made "Yew Hill" his headquarters when in the vicinity. He speaks in his diary many times of his friend Robert Ashby and on staying at "Yew Hill." Martin's maternal grandfather, Othniel Looker, built a home in Harrison, Ohio in 1804, which still stands, Othniel was the fifth governor of Ohio, and fought in important battles in the revolution.
Biography Written by Kathryn Ashby Johnson
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