ERWIN J. ASHE, a business man of Kittanning borough, was born Sept. 15, 1866, in Armstrong county, son of Henry and Lydia (Lichtey) Ashe. His grandfather, also names Henry Ashe, was one of the early settlers of Somerset county, Pa., where he developed a fine farming property.
Henry Ashe, father of Erwin J. Ashe, was born in Somerset county, where he was reared on the homestead. Coming to Armstrong county in 1865, he continued to farm, devoting himself to this calling all his life. He is still living, now over eighty-two years old, but his wife passed away in 1891. They had children as follows: Anna Bell, wife of W. H. Wassing; Sarah Elizabeth ; Shedrach L.; Edmund; Alfred M.; Erwin J.; Cora, wife of Elmer McMillen, and Bertha, who died in infancy.
Erwin J. Ashe attended public school in Armstrong county, and when still a lad began earning his own living by working in the lumber camps and coal mines. He continued in these lines until twenty-two years old, when he began farming and dealing in stock. These kindred callings absorbed his time for five years, when he went upon the road as a traveling salesman. After seven years� work in this capacity, he bought the "Eagle Hotel" at Kittanning and operated it for two years. In 1911 he opened a wholesale liquor house, and is still engaged in that line. In 1905 he was the Republican candidate for county treasurer, and was elected by a large majority for a term of three years. In 1908 and 1909 he served as chairman of the Republican county central committee and has always been active in politics. He is well known in the local fraternal bodies, belonging to the B.P.O. Elks, Fraternal Order of Eagles and Loyal Order of Moose.
In October, 1887, Mr. Ashe married Martha E. Ross, daughter of Aaron Ross. They have had nine children: Edna, wife of Ivan D. Doverspike; Fred R.; Lydia; William A.; James M.; Mabel, deceased; Charles P.; John, who died in infancy, and Robert E.
Source: Page 900, Armstrong County, Pa., Her People, Past and Present, J.H. Beers & Co., 1914
Transcribed November 1998 by Nanci Michalkiewicz for the Armstrong County Beers Project
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