US Congressman. Born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, his father was a Revolutionary War Army officer and Sheriff of Philadelphia who had twenty-four children between three wives. Michael W. Ash studied law, and was admitted to the Pennsylvania State Bar Association in 1811. In August 1813 he enlisted in the Pennsylvania Militia to serve in the War of 1812, and was commissioned as 1st Lieutenant and Regimental Adjutant of the 1st Pennsylvania Militia Regiment (called “Biddle’s Rifles” after its commander, Colonel Clement A. Biddle). He served until honorably mustered out in December 1813. After the war he relocated to Lancaster, Pennsylvania, where he became a law partner with future United States President James Buchanan. After returning to Philadelphia, he was serving as a city alderman when he was elected as a Jacksonian in 1834 to represent Pennsylvania’s 3rd Congressional District in the United States House of Representatives. His election reflected the pro-President Andrew Jackson sentiment in his district, as the defeated incumbent for the seat, Congressman John G. Watmough, had served as an Anti-Jacksonian. After serving a single term from 1835 to 1837, he was defeated for re-election by Democrat Francis J. Harper. After his Congressional term he served four years as a United States Naval agent. He passed away in Germantown, Philadelphia, in 1858 at the age of sixty-nine.
US Congressman. Born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, his father was a Revolutionary War Army officer and Sheriff of Philadelphia who had twenty-four children between three wives. Michael W. Ash studied law, and was admitted to the Pennsylvania State Bar Association in 1811. In August 1813 he enlisted in the Pennsylvania Militia to serve in the War of 1812, and was commissioned as 1st Lieutenant and Regimental Adjutant of the 1st Pennsylvania Militia Regiment (called “Biddle’s Rifles” after its commander, Colonel Clement A. Biddle). He served until honorably mustered out in December 1813. After the war he relocated to Lancaster, Pennsylvania, where he became a law partner with future United States President James Buchanan. After returning to Philadelphia, he was serving as a city alderman when he was elected as a Jacksonian in 1834 to represent Pennsylvania’s 3rd Congressional District in the United States House of Representatives. His election reflected the pro-President Andrew Jackson sentiment in his district, as the defeated incumbent for the seat, Congressman John G. Watmough, had served as an Anti-Jacksonian. After serving a single term from 1835 to 1837, he was defeated for re-election by Democrat Francis J. Harper. After his Congressional term he served four years as a United States Naval agent. He passed away in Germantown, Philadelphia, in 1858 at the age of sixty-nine.
Bio by: RPD2
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