The World of My Ancestors

I will start my story with my material grandmother, Della Malinda Ash Hopkins Shaw. Della Melinda ASH was born 5 Nov 1905 to Lorenzo (Lou) D. ASH and Sadie Susan MITCHELL. She had one older sister and 2 brothers. Both of the brothers died when they were infants. Della, the third child, was born in Marion, Marion Co., Ohio. She died 20 Aug. 1948 in Chatham, Essex, New Jersey. She is buried in Hollywood Memorial Park, Bloomfield, New Jersey. She married Gerald George HOPKINS on 7 May 1924 in Monroe, Michigan. The Marion Daily Star reported that she wore a grey and blue crepe dress and carried ophelia roses. My aunts birth certificates indicated that Gerald was born between March and September 1905 to Nellie MOUCK/MOCH and “Duke” HOPKINS.

 My mother told me that her mother told her that when Della and Gerald were dating Gerald use to draw beautiful pictures on the tablecloths and the restaurant would keep them. Della and Gerald had 3 daughters. Jeanne Virginia, born in Marion, Marion, Ohio. Doris (Dot) Mae, born in Somerville, Sussex, New Jersey. Geraldine (Gerry) Marie, born in Glen Ridge, Essex, New Jersey, died 27 April 2007 in Helena, MT. About 1927 Della, Gerald and daughter Jeanne moved from Ohio to Newark,New Jersey, along with Della’s sister Sylvia and husband Robert BROWNLEE and their mother, Sadie ASH. While living in Somerville, New Jersey, my mother Doris was born. Gerald was working on a dairy farm at this time. My mother told me that she remembers that her mother use to talk about sitting under the tree in the field where she would wait for Gerald to come for his lunch. They later moved back to Montclair before Geraldine was born. Sometime in early 1932 Gerald left his family to go get his paycheck and he never returned. So Della raised her three daughters alone. For 7 years with the help of the local welfare office they looked for Gerald. There was no trace. According to family stories, in about 1940 Della had him declared legally dead so that she could go on with her life. In about 1942 Della married Bill SHAW. Bill later went off to war. Della died 20 Aug 1948 from cancer. I have been very fortunate that my mother and both of her sisters live in Boulder and that I got to talk to they about their family. They have told me many wonderful stories about when they grew up. I know that her daughters wish that they had had more time with their mother. They said that Della had a wonderful sense of humor and loved to go places and do things with her girls. She must have been a very strong woman and a very loving person to raise three girls alone. I think that she did a great job, because my Mom and both of my Aunts are great ladies who would help anyone in need and they all have a great sense of humor. It is a shame that she died before her grandchildren could get to know her.

Labels: ASH Family

This is the headstone of William Ash and Margaret Simpson Ash. They are buried in Kenton Cenetery, Kenton, Ohio. Buried next to them is their son Oresta William Ash. He doesn't have a headstone.

Labels: ASH Family

William ASH was born 8 Feb 1845 to Thomas ASH and Sarah HARDY in Oswego, New Brunswick, New York. He died 9 Nov 1921 in Palestine, Texas at the home of his son Willis. He was the 2nd of 5 children. On 15 April 1867 he married Margaret Jane SIMPSON in Hardin Co., Ohio. They had 9 Children. Mary Gladys who married Marion MUSGRAVE, Willis Norton who married LouEmma PACKER, Baby Ash, who died at birth, Lorenzo Dow who married Sadie MITCHELL, Oresta William, Agnes Luella who married Jacob COOPER, Alba M who married 1st Arthur WELTZ, 2nd James BURNS, Ada Viola who married Jacob E BARKER and Fay E who married Frank REIGLER.

William enlisted in the Ohio Volunteers during the Civil War and was in the 15th Regiment, Company I. He was wounded in the left leg during the “Battle of Chickamauga” in Georgia and later lost his leg. He was discharged in 1864 and received a pension due to his wound.

According to his pension records. William was 5 ft 8 in tall and had light complexion, blue eyes and brown hair. He was a farmer before going into war. It also listed all his children and when he was married.

William and Margaret lived in Marseilles, Ohio until after 1881. At that time they moved their family to Hardin Co., Ohio until the death of Margaret on 30 Mar 1916. William then moved to Palestine, Texas to live with his son, Willis and family. Both Margaret and William are buried in Grove Cemetery, Kenton, Hardin Co., Ohio.

Labels: ASH Family

Thomas ASH was born in Sussex, England, 8 Oct 1812. He came to the United States sometime before 1843. He married Sarah HARDY 10 Jan 1843 in Ontario Co., New York. The had 5 children, Alexander, William married Margaret SIMPSON, Sarah, Thomas who married Adeline BOYER and James. The first 4 were born in New Brunswick, New York. The last son, James was born in Ohio.

After 1850 the family moved to Wyandot Co., Ohio, where Thomas raised his family. He enlisted on 21 Nov 1861 in the Civil War. He was discharged 20 Nov 1863 in Lookout Valley, Tennessee because of chronic rheumatism. His son, Alexander,died during the war and is buried in Camp Wood, Ky and son William also enlisted in the Civil War. After the his wife died Thomas lived with his son Thomas Jr. Thomas Died 25th Oct 1897 and is buried in York Street Cemetery in Jackson, Wyandot Co., Ohio.

Labels: ASH Family

Lorenzo (Lou) Dow ASH was born 28 Sept 1872 in Marseilles, Wayandot Co., Ohio, to William ASH and Margaret Jane SIMPSON. He married Sadie Susan MITCHELL, 22 Nov 1898 in Hardin Co., Ohio. They had 4 children, Ovan, born May 1900, died before 1910. Sylvia D., born 29 April 1901 in Marion, Marion, Ohio, died 18 Apr 1989 in West Palm Beach, FL. Della Melinda, born 5 Nov 1905 in Marion, Marion, Ohio, died 20 Aug 1948 in Bloomfield, New Jersey. Arthur born 10 Feb 1908 died 20 Mar 1908 in Marion Co., Ohio. According to the 1910 census Lorenzo worked as a yardman at the engine works. Sadie and Lorenzo divorced in April 1919 in Marion Co., Ohio.

Lorenzo married Elizabeth (Glenn) DURBIN 11Aug 1919 in Bucyrus, Ohio. They lived in Marion and Hardin Co., Ohio. He died in 9 Jan 1948 and is buried in Ridgeway Cemetery in Hale Township, Hardin Co., Ohio.

Labels: ASH Family