The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1877-11-10
IN MEMORIAM.

Mr.. VIM. Ashby, ST., was born Oct.
10Th, 1888, and died Oct. 18th, 1877,
being little over "a years of age at
his death. His wife, Whose maiden
name was WILSON, was three years
younger, and died at the age of IS.
Appropriate funeral services were
held in memory of these early set
tiers, on last Sabbath, in the United
Brethren church which has recently
been erected on the old homestead.
A sermon was preached by Rev.
b. Ison, from the text, "All the days
of my appointed time will wait till
my change come" Job IA CHI. IA v.
The sermon was close, practical, en-
couraging and full of advice. The
pastor ofthe United Brethren church,
Mr.. Halderman, was present and
participated in the services. AT the
close of the sermon, Judge Hamill
made few very appropriate remarks
with reference to the deceased. He
knew him for 40 years, and often in
terviewed Mr.. Ashby to obtain in
formation concerning The early set
Element of this region, stating that
he was born in the old block house
or fort, on what is now known as
General Kelley's farm, miles south
of IN Il lnI n6
by the early settlers to protect them
selves and their families from the I'M
civilized Indians who infested por-
tions of West Virginia. Mr.. Ashby
conversed freely and intelligentIy.
He had remarkably retentive
memory and could relate with inter-
est things that occurred in his boy
hood. 1t is to be regretted that many
of the interesting circumstances he
related having occurred almost a cen
fury ago, had not been written, as
they would be matters of interest for
the perusal of the present and future
generations.
Mr.. Ashby remained vigorous and
active until a short time before his
death. / have heard it stated that
he never missed casting his vote at
an election held in the county in
which he lives. While as rule we
are not in favor of funeral sermons,
yet this service was interesting, and
we trust, beneficial.
J. NJ. DAVIS.
Rev. 2. Hamill has kindly furnish
ed the following additional notes
which we add:
A few words may be added as a
last notice of this aged and remarka-
BILE citizen. In politics Mr.. Ashby
was an old line Wing, and followed
with enthusiasm the fortunes of the
great leader of that grand old party,
Henry Clay. In the late unpleas-
antness, like most old citizens of this
region, he was Union man, never,
however ahating his regrets for the
condition of the people of the South
in the struggle He was allied by
blood and kindred to some of the
most distinguished statesmen of that
section, one of whom is now the
Governor of South Carolina. In re-
ligion Mr.. Ashby was a sympathizer
with the NJ. E. Church, of which his
noble wife was member. With
pleasure and great interest he would
recount incidents of the men and la
hors of the early itinerants of that
denomination; among whom were
James and Tobias Ryley, relatives of
Mrs. Ashby. The last years of his
life were passed quietly at the old
homestead known as Piney Bottom,
four miles south of Oakland, on the
west bank of the Youghougheney
river, surrounded by his children,
grand children and great grandchil-
dren. In the formation OF the new
county of Garrett, after reflection, he
became decided advocate. His re-
lation to passing events, progress
and Improvements was quite station
airy. He literally lived in the past.
He had seen this beautiful. glade
country when but sparsely settled, in
all its picturesque grandeur, as the
favorite hunting ground ofsurround-
ing settlers. He knew the Stewards,
Coughs, Friends, Browning's,
Wilson's, Rlinehart's and others,
who, like himself, left numerous de-
scendants. He had seen the last elk
or moose fall before the unerring aim
of the hunters rife, and the deer,
wolf and bear vanish before the
march of the settler; and in place OF
the wigwam of the savage, he lived
to see christian churches raised all
over this section, and christian wor-
ship on the Sabbath largely attend
ed by the followers of Christ. A very
handsome chapel now ornaments his
beautiful homestead.
Much more might be written OF