Cyrus Ashley

Cyrus ASHLEY Sex: M Birth: 22 DEC 1797 in Corinth, Saratoga, New York Death: 4 JUL 1883 in Plainfield, Will, Illinois

   Cyrus Ashley came in childhood with his father to Martinsburgh, N. Y., and after his marriage settled on a farm in that town. He was an energetic farmer, and became a man of influence.

   In the summer of 1835, leaving his family in Martinsburgh, he made a tour through Northern Ohio, for the purpose of choosing a Western home. The following summer he set out to visit Illinois, going by sail boat from Sackett's Harbor, and arriving at Chicago after a twenty- one days' sail. He then went by stage to Plainfield, on the Dupage River. This place he ever felt was the greenest spot, the deepest soil, and the home of his choice. He selected farm land and village property there, placing his claim in the land office in Chicage, though the land was not yet in the market. He returned to New Youk, filled with Western enthusiasm. Influenced by what he said of Illinois, his brother Riley and others decided to go West with him. The company left Martinsburgh May 9, 1837, in five well equipped emigrant wagons, and, going through Western New York, Canada, Michigan, Over the old " Indian Trail" through Indiana, arrived in Plainfield June 9th, having made the journey in four weeks.

   In 1855 Mr. Ashley's pioneer spirit was again aroused, and that fall eh crossed the Mississippi River, determined to learn the merits of the State of Iowa. He was delighted with Cedar Falls, a new town on the beautiful Cedar River, one hundred miles west of Dubuque. He purchased a large and fine tract of land adjacent to the young buyt enterpristing villag3. In February, 1857, he brought a load of goods there by sleigh, crossing the Mississippi on the ice; returning a distance of two hundred and fifty miles horseback, riding one horse and leading the other. Three weeks later he moved his family to Cedar Falls, arriving there March 11th, two years in advance of the railroad. The abouve hard winter's work was accomplished in his sixtieth year.

   In Cedar Falls Mr. Ashley was a leading spirit. He organized a Baptist church and secured a minister. He lived there twelve years, when he returned with his wife and eldest daughter to Plainfield. For four weeks, the winter that he was eighty years of age, he harnessed his horse and drove the minister to revival meetings at the schoolhouses in the country round-about. Later, he was enfeebled by asthma, but, three days before his death, he attended the communion services and addressed the congregation with the words, "My work is done, but I love every one of you."

   Obituary by his pastor, Rev. D. F. Carnahan

   "Cyrus Ashley has served as deacon of the Baptist Church sixty years and he has been regarded on all hands as preeminently a model deacon. Indeed in every way he was a man of rare excellence. His judgment was the very best, his life thoroughly upright, his piety deep, and his power in prayer mighty. While he was unswerving in his adherence to the right, his spirit was kind, and he excelled as a peacemaker.

Father: Daniel ASHLEY b: 24 AUG 1759 in Sheffield, Massachusets Mother: Polly (Herrick) BENSON b: 16 AUG 1773 in Montgomery, MA

Marriage 1 Millicent JOHNSON b: 22 NOV 1791 in Whitesborough, N. Y

   Married: 10 JUN 1822 in Martinsburg, Lewis, New York

Children

   Has No Children Abigail Cornwell ASHLEY b: 11 MAR 1823 in Martinsburg, Lewis, New York

   Has Children Lavinia Maria ASHLEY b: 21 JAN 1826 in Martinsburg, Lewis, New York

   Has Children Louisa Chase ASHLEY b: 27 JAN 1831 in Martinsburg, Lewis, New York, USA

   Has No Children Ann Bunstan ASHLEY b: 2 SEP 1835 in Martinsburg, Lewis, New York

Source: http://wc.rootsweb.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/igm.cgi?op=GET&db=flmcc&id=...