| Notes |
- From "A Reminiscent History of Northern West Virginia" (1895), pp. 671-672. (Paragraph breaks inserted for ease of reading):
HENRY ASH
This busy and successful man of affairs is a native of Doddridge County, West Virginia, his birth occurring on the 28th of November, 1853. His earlv days were devoted to learning the details of agriculture on his father's farm, and he first began attending school when he had reached the age of twelve years, purchasing his books with money which he had obtained by working at odd jobs. In 1873, he began teaching school and followed this occupation during the Winter months and followed farming during the Summers until he entered the West Virginia College, at Flemington, after which he continued teaching up to 1881. From that time up to 1883 he was Deputy Sheriff, then turned his attention to mercantile pursuits at Center Point, of which establishment he is still the owner. In 1884 he was the Democratic nominee for County Sheriff, and to his credit be it said, that he was the only one on his ticket that was elected. After serving one term he gave his attention to the management of his store, but in 1890 left it to take upon himself the duties of Circuit Clerk, to which he had been elected in 1890, and this office he is filling at the present time.
In 1889, with a number of others, he began the development of the oil fields of this county, but they sold out in June, 1894, and formed another company known as the Ash Oil Company, and since that time have leased large tracts of land and put down several paying wells, one being a gas well that has turned out satisfactorily.
He is the son of Absolom and Susan (Barnard) Ash, the former of whom is the son of Jacob Ash, of Harrison County, and grandson of Christopher Ash, who came from the New England States to West Virginia, and became a surveyor. He settled in Harrison County, and was the founder of the family in this section of West Virginia. He was of Dutch descent. His son Jacob participated in the War of 1812, and was a commissioned officer, but the rank is not known. Absolom Ash was engaged in farming throughout life, accumulated a large tract of land in McClellan District, which was divided among: his heirs at his death, and gave them all an excellent start.
His wife was from Old Virginia, and the male members of her family were prosperous farmers. Her union with Mr. Ash resulted in the birth of five children, two of whom died young. Those who lived were: Henry; Marshall, who is living on the old homestead ; and Zadock, who is a farmer and trader of Tyler County. The mother of these children died May 7, 1865, but the father is still living on the old homestead, and is sixty-five years of age. November 23, 1884, Henry Ash was married to Miss Florence O. Allen, daughter of Isaiah and Rebecca Allen, natives of Harrison County, and farmers by occupation. To them one child was given: Ethel Ash. Mr. Ash's second marriage occurred February 10, 1895, to Mrs. Mary Cheuvront, who was born in Doddridge County, the daughter of William B. Ripley, who is deceased. The mother, Maggie M. (Jarvis) Ripley, yet resides in this county. The parents of William B. Ripley, Jacob and Elizabeth Ripley, came from Greene County, Pennsylvania, at an early day and were among the early settlers of this section of the country. John and Margaret Jarvis, the maternal grandparents of Mrs. Ash, were also among the early settlers of this section. The former died in 1860, but the latter survived him many years, and died at the age of ninety years.
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1853 - 1930 (76 years)
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