MRS. MARY ANN ASHLEY Submitted by: Reta Barker
From the August 9, 1897, issue of the Lincoln Daily Courier, Lincoln, Illinois
Grandma Ashley

At her home No.330 Fourth Street, at 6:30 Sabbath morning, Mary A . Ashley, in the seventy-eighth year of her age. Death must have been welcome to this venerable and afflicted lady, who, for thirty-six years, has been an invalid as helpless as an infant, but who lived in hope of redemption from earthly imprisonment and final perfection in the world to come. The deceased was a native of Greenville, Ohio, where she was born in 1819. On May 21, 1835, she was married to Joel Ashley at Greenville, her maiden name being Martin. Ten children were born to Mr and Mrs Ashley, five of whom are dead, leaving the following: Elisha B., Anthon, Iowa; Francis Marion, Macedonia, Iowa; William and Thomas, St.Louis, MO; and John Ashley of Lincoln.

About 1868 Mr and Mrs Ashley came to Lincoln. A few years following their settlement in Lincoln Mr Ashley passed away, full of years and honor and mourned by all who knew him.

For thirty-six years the life of Mrs Ashley has been full of trouble and disappointment. In 1861, when only in middle life, she fell and broke her leg, which was subsequently hurt again, and from that time to the hour when her spirit left the frail tenement of clay, she has been a constant and patient sufferer.

Grandma Ashley was a Christian. She was a member of the Christian Church and through all gloom and doubt of this life she had visions of eternal blessed life to come.

Funeral from the late home on Fourth Street Tuesday, August 10, at 9:00 am. Funeral party will leave the house at 10:00 o'clock and proceed to Bethel where the final service and burial will take place. Elders Holton and Weaver will conduct the exercises.

submitted by third great granddaughter on the maternal side