Saguache County CO Archives Biographies.....Ashley, William Thomas May 11, 1846 - ?
************************************************

Copyright.  All rights reserved.

http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm

http://www.usgwarchives.net/co/cofiles.htm

************************************************



File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Judy Crook jlcrook@rof.net November 5, 2005, 4:55 pm

Author: Progressive Men of Western Colorado

William Thomas Ashley

   A native of Kentucky, and inheriting the hardihood, courage, love of

adventure and resourcefulness of the people of that state, William Thomas

Ashley, of Saguache county, was well fitted by nature and training for the

pioneer life in which he was obliged to take a part on his arrival in this state

in 1865, and his career in the midst of hardships and dangers here, and the

success he has achieved from trying and for a time unresponsive conditions, give

proof that he did not choose unwisely either in the place or the line of his

activity.  His life began in Crittenden county, of the Blue Grass state, on May

11, 1846, and he remained there until 1860, attending the public schools and

working on his father’s farm.  In 1869 he accompanied his parents, Samuel and

Mary B. Ashley, the former a native of Tennessee and the latter of Kentucky, to

Missouri, and he lived at home in that state until 1865, completing his

education in the common schools and learning new features of the agricultural

life begotten of the changed conditions around him.  In 1865 the family crossed

the plains to Colorado, making the trip with mule and ox teams and being three

months on the way.  There were seven hundred men and three hundred and

sixty-five wagons in the train, and although it was savagely attacked by

Indians, the whole party escaped without serious mishap.  After his arrival in

this state Mr. Ashley took up what is now known as the Marold ranch in Saguache

county, and from that time to this he has been extensively engaged in ranching

and raising cattle in that county.  He owns at present four thousand acres of

good land, one-half of which is fully irrigated and under cultivation, the rest

at this time is devoted to grazing, and supports generously the large herds of

cattle which form one of the staple products of the place.  Hay is raised

extensively and grain and other farm products in good quantities.  Cattle have,

however, been from the first the main reliance of this enterprising grower, and

he has often had as many as four thousand head at one time, in fact, being

considered the most extensive cattle owner in the San Luis valley. He has, with

characteristic enterprise, kept pace with the spirit of modern progress in his

business and also in the matter of improvements on his ranch.  His dwelling is a

modern brick house of good proportions and attractive appearance, and his barns

are commodious, well-built, conveniently arranged and furnished with everything

needed for carrying on the work of the place according to the most approved

methods and with a view to the best results.  The whole place is well fenced,

and every feature of its various interests is looked after with care and good

judgment of an excellent farmer and a progressive and far-seeing owner.  In the

public affairs of the county Mr. Ashley has always taken an active interest and

a leading part.  He served as a county commissioner from 1884 to 1890, and again

from 1893 to 1895.  He is prominent and influential in the councils of the

Democratic party, following its fortunes from strong conviction and without

desire for the honors of official life.  The ranch is six miles southeast of the

county seat in a region of great present productiveness and future

possibilities.  On January 21, 1880, Mr. Ashley was joined in wedlock with Miss

Emma Scandrett, a native of Greene county, Illinois, and a daughter of William

T. and Malinda Scandrett, an account of whose lives will be found on another

page, in the sketch of their son, Charles A. Scandrett.  Mr. and Mrs. Ashley

have had three children, of whom one died in infancy and Mrs. Ralph Shellabarger

and Thomas C. are living.  Mr. Ashley is a self-made man, and has been largely

the architect of his own fortune, and that too has been erected on a solid basis

of strong character, upright motives and generous aspirations, and built by

persistent effort, good judgment and excellent business capacity.  He is widely

known throughout Saguache and the surrounding counties, and is everywhere held

in the highest esteem as a representative man and a very useful and progressive

citizen.

Additional Comments:
From Progressive Men of Western Colorado.  Chicago:  A.W. Bowen & Co., 1905

This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/cofiles/

File size: 4.7 Kb