James was born on October 23, 1845, to William Stone and Anna Maria Marks Ashe in Uxbridge, Durham, Ontario, Canada. His father died suddenly when James was only two years old. He had gone away on horseback and when he didn’t return they went looking for him. They found him lying on the ground beside his horse, his clothing unfastened and his body bloated. He had indications of health trouble some time before his death.
Following William’s death, the family moved west to the Thorndale, Middlesex Co. area. There Anna Maria married widower John Atwell and their combined family operated a farm in Nissouri West Township. James retained his father’s surname of Ash and looked for an opportunity to buy a farm. He heard of inexpensive land in Michigan and went there in 1869 to purchase an 80-acre wilderness plot in Section 17, Tuscola Township. He built a log house and barn and began to clear the hardwood timber from the land.
When enough was prepared, he returned to Thorndale to marry Mary Elizabeth Gourlay, a Thorndale neighbor, on November 6, 1871. Right after the wedding, they said goodbye to their families and immigrated to Michigan. Together they developed the 80-acre farm that was later expanded to 160 acres. The log cabin and barns were replaced by a fine modern brick house, ample barns and buildings to accommodate a large herd of stock, as well as the grain and fodder that he produced.
James’ brother, William Ash, also immigrated to Tuscola Township and bought land in Section 8 near James’ farm. Interestingly, William married Margaret Ann Gourlay, sister of Mary Elizabeth, in 1867. They continued to live in Canada until James and Mary immigrated, and then moved to their new Michigan home at about the same time.
To James and Mary were born six sons and two daughters, all of which helped to operate the large acreage. James and Mary became naturalized U.S. citizens on June 4, 1878. Suffering from declining health in his latter years, James died of liver cancer on June 14, 1916, in his Tuscola home at the age of 70.
-----------------------------
Additional biographical material was published in "The Vassar Times," Friday, August 8, 1902.
"James Ash
James Ash, owner of the largest acreage of farm property in this township, is a product of Ontario, Can., and came here in ’69, bought a wild 80-acre farm, and began at once to improve it into a farm. Steadily and unceasingly has Mr. Ash pushed on until he owns the largest well-tilled farm in the township. Mr. Ash’s success lies in the fact that not only that he oversees his own business, but he has made each acre do its best through high-grade tillage and his natural adaptability in that direction. He has reared a large family, all hustlers and good farmers.
Mr. Ash can boast of a fine modern brick house, ample barns and buildings to accommodate his large herd of stock, as well as the immense amount of grain and fodder that he produces. He believes in graded stock for profit and modern farm machinery and is surrounded with abundance.
His fine osage hedges give a beautiful urban scenery, and a touch of beauty parallel with many city homes. Mr. Ash finds time to attend the Baptist church, to which he belongs, and is always active in all of its entertainments, sustaining it with a liberal hand. Also public spirited and helps roll the wheels of progress along.
The subject of this sketch has reached his 54th mile-post, and soon must give way to younger hands; in fact, his principal work now is in overseeing and directing operations on his magnificent farm, rather than engaging in hard labor. May he and his estimable wife be spared for many years to come, to enjoy the fruits of their labors, is the wish of their numerous friends."
Following William’s death, the family moved west to the Thorndale, Middlesex Co. area. There Anna Maria married widower John Atwell and their combined family operated a farm in Nissouri West Township. James retained his father’s surname of Ash and looked for an opportunity to buy a farm. He heard of inexpensive land in Michigan and went there in 1869 to purchase an 80-acre wilderness plot in Section 17, Tuscola Township. He built a log house and barn and began to clear the hardwood timber from the land.
When enough was prepared, he returned to Thorndale to marry Mary Elizabeth Gourlay, a Thorndale neighbor, on November 6, 1871. Right after the wedding, they said goodbye to their families and immigrated to Michigan. Together they developed the 80-acre farm that was later expanded to 160 acres. The log cabin and barns were replaced by a fine modern brick house, ample barns and buildings to accommodate a large herd of stock, as well as the grain and fodder that he produced.
James’ brother, William Ash, also immigrated to Tuscola Township and bought land in Section 8 near James’ farm. Interestingly, William married Margaret Ann Gourlay, sister of Mary Elizabeth, in 1867. They continued to live in Canada until James and Mary immigrated, and then moved to their new Michigan home at about the same time.
To James and Mary were born six sons and two daughters, all of which helped to operate the large acreage. James and Mary became naturalized U.S. citizens on June 4, 1878. Suffering from declining health in his latter years, James died of liver cancer on June 14, 1916, in his Tuscola home at the age of 70.
-----------------------------
Additional biographical material was published in "The Vassar Times," Friday, August 8, 1902.
"James Ash
James Ash, owner of the largest acreage of farm property in this township, is a product of Ontario, Can., and came here in ’69, bought a wild 80-acre farm, and began at once to improve it into a farm. Steadily and unceasingly has Mr. Ash pushed on until he owns the largest well-tilled farm in the township. Mr. Ash’s success lies in the fact that not only that he oversees his own business, but he has made each acre do its best through high-grade tillage and his natural adaptability in that direction. He has reared a large family, all hustlers and good farmers.
Mr. Ash can boast of a fine modern brick house, ample barns and buildings to accommodate his large herd of stock, as well as the immense amount of grain and fodder that he produces. He believes in graded stock for profit and modern farm machinery and is surrounded with abundance.
His fine osage hedges give a beautiful urban scenery, and a touch of beauty parallel with many city homes. Mr. Ash finds time to attend the Baptist church, to which he belongs, and is always active in all of its entertainments, sustaining it with a liberal hand. Also public spirited and helps roll the wheels of progress along.
The subject of this sketch has reached his 54th mile-post, and soon must give way to younger hands; in fact, his principal work now is in overseeing and directing operations on his magnificent farm, rather than engaging in hard labor. May he and his estimable wife be spared for many years to come, to enjoy the fruits of their labors, is the wish of their numerous friends."
James was born on October 23, 1845, to William Stone and Anna Maria Marks Ashe in Uxbridge, Durham, Ontario, Canada. His father died suddenly when James was only two years old. He had gone away on horseback and when he didn’t return they went looking for him. They found him lying on the ground beside his horse, his clothing unfastened and his body bloated. He had indications of health trouble some time before his death.
Following William’s death, the family moved west to the Thorndale, Middlesex Co. area. There Anna Maria married widower John Atwell and their combined family operated a farm in Nissouri West Township. James retained his father’s surname of Ash and looked for an opportunity to buy a farm. He heard of inexpensive land in Michigan and went there in 1869 to purchase an 80-acre wilderness plot in Section 17, Tuscola Township. He built a log house and barn and began to clear the hardwood timber from the land.
When enough was prepared, he returned to Thorndale to marry Mary Elizabeth Gourlay, a Thorndale neighbor, on November 6, 1871. Right after the wedding, they said goodbye to their families and immigrated to Michigan. Together they developed the 80-acre farm that was later expanded to 160 acres. The log cabin and barns were replaced by a fine modern brick house, ample barns and buildings to accommodate a large herd of stock, as well as the grain and fodder that he produced.
James’ brother, William Ash, also immigrated to Tuscola Township and bought land in Section 8 near James’ farm. Interestingly, William married Margaret Ann Gourlay, sister of Mary Elizabeth, in 1867. They continued to live in Canada until James and Mary immigrated, and then moved to their new Michigan home at about the same time.
To James and Mary were born six sons and two daughters, all of which helped to operate the large acreage. James and Mary became naturalized U.S. citizens on June 4, 1878. Suffering from declining health in his latter years, James died of liver cancer on June 14, 1916, in his Tuscola home at the age of 70.
-----------------------------
Additional biographical material was published in "The Vassar Times," Friday, August 8, 1902.
"James Ash
James Ash, owner of the largest acreage of farm property in this township, is a product of Ontario, Can., and came here in ’69, bought a wild 80-acre farm, and began at once to improve it into a farm. Steadily and unceasingly has Mr. Ash pushed on until he owns the largest well-tilled farm in the township. Mr. Ash’s success lies in the fact that not only that he oversees his own business, but he has made each acre do its best through high-grade tillage and his natural adaptability in that direction. He has reared a large family, all hustlers and good farmers.
Mr. Ash can boast of a fine modern brick house, ample barns and buildings to accommodate his large herd of stock, as well as the immense amount of grain and fodder that he produces. He believes in graded stock for profit and modern farm machinery and is surrounded with abundance.
His fine osage hedges give a beautiful urban scenery, and a touch of beauty parallel with many city homes. Mr. Ash finds time to attend the Baptist church, to which he belongs, and is always active in all of its entertainments, sustaining it with a liberal hand. Also public spirited and helps roll the wheels of progress along.
The subject of this sketch has reached his 54th mile-post, and soon must give way to younger hands; in fact, his principal work now is in overseeing and directing operations on his magnificent farm, rather than engaging in hard labor. May he and his estimable wife be spared for many years to come, to enjoy the fruits of their labors, is the wish of their numerous friends."
Following William’s death, the family moved west to the Thorndale, Middlesex Co. area. There Anna Maria married widower John Atwell and their combined family operated a farm in Nissouri West Township. James retained his father’s surname of Ash and looked for an opportunity to buy a farm. He heard of inexpensive land in Michigan and went there in 1869 to purchase an 80-acre wilderness plot in Section 17, Tuscola Township. He built a log house and barn and began to clear the hardwood timber from the land.
When enough was prepared, he returned to Thorndale to marry Mary Elizabeth Gourlay, a Thorndale neighbor, on November 6, 1871. Right after the wedding, they said goodbye to their families and immigrated to Michigan. Together they developed the 80-acre farm that was later expanded to 160 acres. The log cabin and barns were replaced by a fine modern brick house, ample barns and buildings to accommodate a large herd of stock, as well as the grain and fodder that he produced.
James’ brother, William Ash, also immigrated to Tuscola Township and bought land in Section 8 near James’ farm. Interestingly, William married Margaret Ann Gourlay, sister of Mary Elizabeth, in 1867. They continued to live in Canada until James and Mary immigrated, and then moved to their new Michigan home at about the same time.
To James and Mary were born six sons and two daughters, all of which helped to operate the large acreage. James and Mary became naturalized U.S. citizens on June 4, 1878. Suffering from declining health in his latter years, James died of liver cancer on June 14, 1916, in his Tuscola home at the age of 70.
-----------------------------
Additional biographical material was published in "The Vassar Times," Friday, August 8, 1902.
"James Ash
James Ash, owner of the largest acreage of farm property in this township, is a product of Ontario, Can., and came here in ’69, bought a wild 80-acre farm, and began at once to improve it into a farm. Steadily and unceasingly has Mr. Ash pushed on until he owns the largest well-tilled farm in the township. Mr. Ash’s success lies in the fact that not only that he oversees his own business, but he has made each acre do its best through high-grade tillage and his natural adaptability in that direction. He has reared a large family, all hustlers and good farmers.
Mr. Ash can boast of a fine modern brick house, ample barns and buildings to accommodate his large herd of stock, as well as the immense amount of grain and fodder that he produces. He believes in graded stock for profit and modern farm machinery and is surrounded with abundance.
His fine osage hedges give a beautiful urban scenery, and a touch of beauty parallel with many city homes. Mr. Ash finds time to attend the Baptist church, to which he belongs, and is always active in all of its entertainments, sustaining it with a liberal hand. Also public spirited and helps roll the wheels of progress along.
The subject of this sketch has reached his 54th mile-post, and soon must give way to younger hands; in fact, his principal work now is in overseeing and directing operations on his magnificent farm, rather than engaging in hard labor. May he and his estimable wife be spared for many years to come, to enjoy the fruits of their labors, is the wish of their numerous friends."
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