Asa Harvey Derrick was born 29 Jan 1853 in Benton County, Missouri; one of eleven children born to Harvey and Caroline (Feaster) Derrick.

Asa was united in marriage 14 Sep 1873 in Maysville, Benton County, Arkansas with Eliza Jane Donnell; daughter of William and Margaret (Ross) Donnell. Asa and Eliza were the parents of ten children:

1. William "Willie" Harvey born 1874 married Mary Caroline "Carrie" Derrick
2. Margaret "Maggie" C. born 1876 married Raymond "Ray" Grimes
3. Robert Thomas "Tommy" born 1878 married America Thelma Walker
4. James "Jim" Levi born 1879 marred Belleveretta "Etta" L. Bayless
5. Mary Caldona "Dona" born 1881 married Albert Millican "Corm" Coram
6. Charles "Charlie" Lee born 1883 married Clara C. Patton
7. Joseph "Joe" Elbert born 1886 married Flora Bell Dixon
8. Rosa Elizabeth born 1889 married Leonard M. Burnett
9. Ruth Mae born 1891
10. Martha "Mattie" Ellen born 1896 married Dixie Montgomery

Asa Derrick was a contractor with the railroads. Asa's family traveled with him and camped along the tracks in Colorado, New Mexico, Texas, aand Kansas, finally coming to Oklahoma in 1892. The family traveled in three covered wagons, bringing household furnishings, mules, cattle and chickens in a box on the end of the wagon. The chickens laid eggs almost every day. Asa, Eliza and the ten children crossed the South Canadian River near Camargo. The river was up high at the time. A man was at the crossing to show them the safe way to cross, for some other wagons hadn't made it across and capsized into a big hole. Asa with children Maggie and Jim drove the wagons, while Willie and Thomas brought the cattle across the river.

Asa filed on land on Turkey Creek in Ellis or Day County. Maggie and Willie also filed. The family lived in a half dugout with beds at one end and the kitchen and table at the other. The children gathered cow chips in a sack to use for fuel in the cook stove.

Eliza passed away 15 Nov 1921 in Harmon, Ellis County, Oklahoma at the age of 70 years. She was laid to rest in Vassar Cemetery, Vici, Dewey County, Oklahoma. Asa passed away 14 Aug 1929 in Vici, Dewey County, Oklahoma at the age of 76 years. He was laid to rest with Eliza in Vassar Cemetery.