BIO: Herbert H. ASHMAN, Huntingdon County, PA Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by JO Copyright 2009. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/pafiles.htm ********************************************************** __________________________________________________________________ Commemorative Biographical Encyclopedia of the Juniata Valley: Comprising the Counties of Huntingdon, Mifflin, Juniata and Perry, Pennsylvania, Containing Sketches of Prominent and Representative Citizens and Many of the Early Settlers. Chambersburg, Pa.: J. M. Runk & Co., 1897, pages 411-412, 415. __________________________________________________________________ H. H. ASHMAN, Three Springs, Huntingdon county, Pa., was born December 25, 1858, son of Richard and Mary J. (Lorraine) Ashman. The Ashmans and Cromwells, two of the oldest families in Huntingdon county, originally came from England, where they had intermarried. The Cromwells were direct descendants of Oliver Cromwell, the illustrious "Protector." Members of both these families left their native soil about the middle of the seventeenth century, and landed in Maryland, settling at what was called "Ashman's Hope," where the Ashmans became prominent planters and slave-owners. The great-grandfather of Mr. H. H. Ashman, George Ashman, succeeded to this large estate, and carried on the plantation for many years. He was a kind master, and was greatly beloved by his slaves. He became noted throughout the country for his activity in military affairs, having organized a militia regiment, of which he was colonel. When the war of the Revolution broke out, he, with his regiment, enlisted, and served with valor all through that struggle for freedom. He was afterwards familiarly known as "Colonel George." Colonel Ashman was very ambitious, and the State of Pennsylvania offering great advantages, he disposed of his plantation, freed his slaves, and removed to what was then called Bedford Furnace, and is now Orbisonia, Huntingdon county. Many of his slaves refused to leave him, and followed him to his new home. Among these was an old man who lived to the age of one hundred and five years, remaining in the service of Colonel Ashman up to his death. This removal took place a few years before the Revolutionary war; it was in this home, near Orbisonia, that all of his children were born. Here, with Thomas Cromwell and another partner, name Ridgely, Colonel Ashman operated the first furnace west of the Susquehanna river. Col. George Ashman married Ellen Waters. Their children were: Rachel, born October 16, 1778, died single; James, born January 7, 1775, married Miss Mason, of western Pennsylvania; Elizabeth, born March 15, 1776, married Mr. Palmer; Sarah, born January 25, 1781, died single; John, born February 24, 1783; Josephus, born in July, 1785, died single; Henrietta Maria, born August 24, 1787, married David Hunter, of Bedford county, Pa.; Rebecca, born February 14, 1790, married William Hamill, of Cumberland county, Pa.; triplets, Elinor, Ann and George, born October 15, 1792, of whom Ann died in infancy, Elinor married James McGuirk, of Phillipsburg, Pa., and George married Jane Scott, of Bedford county, and Francis, died while an infant. John Ashman, fifth child and second son of "Colonel George," inherited a large estate from his father, including the grist-mill built by the Colonel in 1785, and the house built in 1793. A still more precious heritage was the kind and generous disposition for which the father had been so distinguished, and which was perpetuated in the son. John Ashman had an open heart and hand for those in distress. He often refused to sell his wheat during "hard times," in order that he might keep the poor, who could not afford to pay cash, from starving. He entertained royally. In summer, large numbers of friends from Baltimore would visit him, domiciled for weeks under his hospitable roof. Indeed, he always, "kept open house" for his friends. John Ashman and Elinor Cromwell were married May 15, 1820. Their children were: Ann, married Isaac Taylor, now of Mount Union, Pa.; Richard; Helen, married Dr. J. A. Shade, who was murdered at Shade Gap, Pa.; and Thomas C., married Melissa Green and settled at Shirleysburg; both are deceased. Mr. Ashman served two terms in the Pennsylvania legislature. He died in 1859; his wife ha preceded him to the grave. Through his generosity, John Ashman became insolvent. His second son, Richard, father of H. H. Ashman, who was born on the homestead in Clay township, in 1827, was a boy at the time of his father's bankruptcy. David Hunter, one of John Ashman's brothers-in-law, bought a small tract of land, having a dwelling upon it, adjoining the homestead; this place, by his gift, was the home of the Ashman family until John Ashman died. Richard Ashman was taken by another uncle, John McGuirk, of Phillipsburg, Pa., with whom he resided until he was twenty years old. He enjoyed no educational advantages, having attended school but one day. In his uncle's store he learned reading, writing and arithmetic. He was married at Clearfield, Pa., October 29, 1850, to Mary J., daughter of Dr. Henry Lorraine, a well-known physician of Clearfield county. After his marriage Richard Ashman went to Three Springs, Huntingdon county, and bought part of the original Ashman estate. He also purchased Thomas Orbison's store, and carried on mercantile business for thirty-one years. He then sold out to E. G. Heck, and turned his attention to farming and milling, which occupied his time and thoughts for the remainder of his life. Mr. Ashman shipped the first eggs that were sent from the Mount Union Station. He was active and energetic, and through him the fallen fortunes of the family were retrieved. He did not enlist during the war of the Rebellion, on account of ill health; but he rendered valuable aid to the wives and families of Federal soldiers. He was for many years postmaster at Three Springs. Mr. Ashman's character was such as to command the respect of all who came in contact with him, and to enlist the warm affection of those more intimately acquainted with him. His children are: Lorraine, born January 27, 1852, graduated in the law course at the University of Ann Arbor, Mich., practiced for several years, and is now a farmer at Benton Harbor, Mich.; Cornelia J., born March 22, 1855; George H., a dentist of Philipsburg, Pa.; H. H.; Lillian, born December 5, 1860, married Dr. Bernhardt, and resides at Dublin Mills, Fulton county, Pa.; and Sigel, born March 29, 1862, is a farmer of Clay township. Mrs. Richard Ashman died June 27, 1879. She was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. Mr. Ashman's death took place in June, 1894. H. H. Ashman was born in Clearfield county, his mother being at the time in attendance at the bedside of her dying father. His education was acquired in the common schools and at the State Normal School at Indiana, Pa. He was instructed in the work of the farm and the store. In 1881 he began life for himself; he went to Muskegon county, Mich., and opened a furniture store at Shelby; this he sold out in 1884 and returned home. In 1888 he went to Florida, and at the end of one year purchased a general store at Zellwood, Fla., and carried it on until 1891, when he again sold out and came home. During this time Mr. Ashman purchased two orange groves; in the winters he goes to Florida, to see after his groves, spending his summers at home. Mr. Ashman also owns a two-thirds interest in the homestead farm of 500 acres. He has an ideal home, surrounded by gigantic trees, suggestive of the long history and the stability of the family, and the generous and protecting care its representatives have always been ready to bestow on those who needed it. Mr. Ashman is an entertaining companion, and possesses the kindly regards of a large circle of friends. He is a staunch "gold standard" Republican, but has never sought office. He is affiliated with Acacia Masonic Lodge, No. 93, of Zellwood, Fla., and with Lodge 193, K. of P., Montague, Mich. H. H. Ashman was married, September 12, 1894, to Ellen W., daughter of L. G. and Susan (Wilson) Kessler. He was never united with any church, but upholds the principles of the "Golden Rule."