The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1916-05-04
JOSHUA ASHLEY DEAD.
Anderson Political Leader Passes
Away.-2O Years in House.

ner Ashley, political leaoeI VI 9nooi
son countv since 1892, and member
of the house of representatives for
20 consecutive years with exception
of two years when he was defeated
for the State senate, died here at
5:25 O'Clock this morning.
Funeral services will be held at
Mt Bethel Baptist church, near
Honea Path, Sunday afternoon at z
O'Clock.
He was the son of Edward Ashley
and Elizabeth Ables Ashley and was
horn two miles east of Mt. Bethel
church. in Martin township, Decem-
her 16, 1s4s, being 6S years of age
at the time of his death.
There were IL children, two OF
ubom a sister and a brother. died
when but two years of age.
On February IS, 1875, Mr.. Ashley
married Miss N1ahala C.. Moore, VINO
was born and reared near keoWee
church in Abbeville county. She and
three sons and three daughters sur
vive him. They are as follows. Mel
vim Ashley, who lives. south of Honea
Path. in Abbeville county, and who
represented that county in the house
of representatives for several terms:
Mrs. Millie c.. Garfield, who lives
near Honea Path; Mrs.. Ella Ashley,
who lives near Honea Path; Joe M.
H. Ashley, sheriff of Anderson coun-
ty. who lives in the city of Anderson;
Mrs. Savannah .Pearman, wife OF
James N. Pearman, clerk of court,
who lives just south of the city OF
Anderson; Orr Ashley, who lives near
Honea Path.
Mr.. Ashley spent part Of his life
in business but his principal occupa-
ton was farming. On becoming OF
age he was hired by the late James
Drake, father of Jesse and John
Drake, and stayed on the Drake farm
little more than a year. He then
began farming on his own account
on the Robinson place in the upper
edge of Abbeville county. A short
time later he moved into Anderson
county and located three miles south
of Honea Path Later he moved to
the Cobb place which he purchased
and where he lived until the time OF
his death. This place is located
three miles northwest of Honea Path
and the township of that name.
Twenty Years in House.
In 1890 some friends announced
Mr.. Ashley as candidate for the
house of representatives from Ander-
son county but he declined to make
the race that year. Two years later,
in 1892, however, he announced him
self for the house and was elected.
He served in the lower branch of the
general assembly continuously TO, 20
years, with the exception of two years
when he offered for the senate. He
was defeated for the senate but offer
ed again for the house in the next
primary election and was elected. Mr..
Ashley was wrapped up in farming,
advocating and supporting every
thing that worked for the farmers
interest and he was made chairman
of the agricultural committee. He
served as chairman Of this commit
tee for many years.
Quit Public Life.
Mr.. Ashley voluntarily retired from
public life in 1914. He had suffered
a stroke of facial paralysis, shortly
after the 1912 primary elections.
Later, in August, 1913, he suffered
a severe stroke of paralysis and for
many days he was in an unconscious
condition. The third and last stroke
came in May, 1914, and because OF
his weakened condition this stroke
caused him to lose the use of all the
members of his body. The paralysis
was aggressive, gradually growing
over his entire body.
During the latter part of Novem-
ber, 1915, members of his immediate
family realized that Mr.. Ashley's con-
dition was critical and that he could
not live much longer. In order that
he could be near to medical attention
Mr.. and Mrs. Ashley left their home
on the farm and moved to the county
jail to make their home with Sheriff
and Mrs. Ashley. Mr.. Ashley con-
tinued to grow weaker and weaker
and the end came while he was visit
ing his son, the sheriff.
All BIOndS Eat Cheese.