Dr. John A. ASHCOM, DDS

1841 - 1897

• Prefix	Dr.
  Suffix	DDS
  Born	16 Dec 1841	Ligonier, Westmoreland Co., PA
  Gender	Male
  Died	23 Oct 1897
  Buried	Ligonier Valley Cemetery, Ligonier, Pennsylvania   [1]
  Person ID	I950	Johnson Hindin Tree
  Last Modified	22 Dec 2018

  
  

  Father	William C. ASHCOM,   b. 5 Mar 1821, Donegal Twp., Westmoreland Co., PA ,   d. 4 Feb 1906
  Mother	Rebecca LANE,   b. 1820,   d. 29 Mar 1889, Ligonier, Westmoreland, Pennsylvania, United States
  Family ID	F321	Group Sheet

  
  

  Family 1	Eliza Jane KNOX,   b. 15 Mar 1841,   d. Mar 1876
  Children	1. Irene ASHCOM,   b. 27 Jul 1864, Ligonier, Westmoreland Co., Pennsylvania ,   d. 22 Jul 1922, Ligonier, Westmoreland Co., Pennsylvania   2. James M. ASHCOM, Sr.,   b. 1868, Pennsylvania ,   d. 5 Feb 1941, New Brighton, Beaver Co., Pennsylvania   3. Georgianna M. ASHCOM,   b. 13 Sep 1862, Ligonier, Westmoreland Co., PA ,   d. 28 Sep 1862   4. William ("Willie") T. ASHCOM,   b. 12 Sep 1868, Ligonier, Westmoreland Co., PA ,   d. 22 Oct 1868   5. Anna or Annie D. ASHCOM,   b. 26 Dec 1871, Ligonier, Westmoreland Co., PA ,   d. 28 Jun 1876
  Family ID	F322	Group Sheet

  
  

  Family 2	Adelaide ULERICH,   b. 15 Jul 1858,   d. 29 Dec 1929, Deland, Volusia Co., Florida
  Children	1. Earl Denny ASHCOM,   b. 6 Mar 1881, Ligonier, Westmoreland Co., Pennsylvania ,   d. 16 Nov 1919, Wilkinsburg, Allegheny Co, Pennsylvania   2. Thomas Lane ASHCOM,   b. 21 Apr 1888,   d. 7 Apr 1967, New Wilmington, Pennsylvania   3. Mary Elizabeth ASHCOM,   b. 1890,   d. 2 Jul 1977, Florida   4. Dr. Dick Sheppard ASHCOM,   b. 4 Jul 1879, Ligonier, Westmoreland Co., Pennsylvania ,   d. 10 Nov 1959, Bellevue, Allegheny Co., Pennsylvania
  Family ID	F325	Group Sheet

  
  

• Notes

  The following is taken from: Boucher, John Newton, 1854-1933, Old and new Westmoreland / by John N. Boucher. Vol. 4; Imprint: New York : The American Historical Society, 1918., pp. 1096-98: JOHN A. ASHCOM, D. D. S.--Ligonier has reason to remember the name which stands at the head of this article, not only because it is that of one of her former postmasters, but also for the reason that Dr. Ashcom was a lifelong resident of this part of Westmoreland county and was known as a skillful representative of the profession of dentistry, a veteran of the Civil War, and a disinterested and public spirited citizen. The Ashcom family is of English origin and claims as an ancestor Sir Roger Ascham (as the name was then spelled), tutor to the Princess Elizabeth and after she became queen her Latin secretary. Sir Roger is also famous as the author of a work on archery which he dedicated to King Henry the Eighth, who granted him in return an annual pension of ten pounds. William Ashcom, father of John A. Ashcom, was born in Ligonier Valley, and all his life followed the shoemaker's trade. He was a Republican in politics, and held various township offices. For a number of years he served as a steward of the Methodist Episcopal church of Ligonier. Mr. Ashcom married Rebecca, daughter of Thomas Lane, and their children were: John A., mentioned below; Catherine; and Ella, married Samuel Hayes. Mr. Ashcom's death occurred when he was about seventy-eight years old, and his wife passed away at the age of sixty-eight. Dr. John A. Ashcom, son of William and Rebecca (Lane) Ashcom, was born December 16, 1841, and received his education in the schools of Ligonier, working with his father until nineteen years of age. He attended the Michigan College of Dentistry, graduating with the degree of Doctor of Dental Surgery, and then chose his native county as the scene of his professional career. There are many who can testily that this was a successful one. Dr. Ashcom practiced in Ligonier, acquiring a large and lucrative clientele. and by his knowledge, skill and devotion to duly winning the respect and confidence of his professional brethren and the general public. In his early manhood, which fell in the dark and momentous period of the Civil War, Dr. Ashcom testified to his patriotism by enlisting, on August 16, 1862, in Company G, One Hundred and Thirty-fifth Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteers, for a term of three months, his commander being Captain Henry L. Donnelly. After the expiration of his period of service he re enlisted for the duration of the war. In 1897 Dr. Ashcom relinquished the practice of his profession, having been appointed by President McKinley postmaster of Ligonier. Very many of his fellow citizens can bear witness to his fidelity in the performance of duty and the satisfaction which his administration afforded to all advocates of good government and all sincere promoters of the cause of civic reform. In local affairs Dr. Ashcom was always active, serving as school director and in other minor public positions and holding election offices. He affiliated with Ligonier Lodge, No. 331, Free and Accepted Masons, being one of its past masters, and he also belonged to the independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Knights of Honor. He was past commander of Fort Ligonier Post, No. 324, Grand Army of the Republic, of Ligonier, and his religious membership was in the Methodist Episcopal church, in which he served as trustee, holding at different times all the other offices in the gift of the church. Dr. Ashcom married (first) Eliza Jane Knox, born March I5, 1841, daughter of Robert and Mary (Carres) Knox, the former born July II, 1808, and the latter August 22, 1817. Dr. and Mrs. Ashcom were the parents of the following children: 1. Georgianna, died in early childhood. 2. Irene, wife of Captain H. S. Denny. 3. James M., 4. William, died young, 5. Anna, died at the age of five years. James M. Ashcom was educated in the public schools of Ligonier, and is now freight conductor on the Pennsylvania & Lake Erie Railroad, running on the Western Division; he married Jennie Van Lear, and their children were: Joseph, died at twenty years of age; Rebecca, died at twenty-two; and John, died at the age of two years. Mrs. Eliza Jane (Knox) Ashcom passed away in March, 1876. Dr. Ashcom married (second) Adelaide UIerich, whose family record is appended to this biography, and they became the parents of three sons and one daughter: 1. Dick S., born July 4. 1879; educated in the public schools of Ligonier and the Indiana State Normal School; he graduated from the dental department of the University of Pittsburgh and now practices his profession in that city; his studies at the Indiana State Normal School were interrupted by the outbreak of the Spanish-American War and his enlistment in Company F, Fifth Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, Captain, William H. Mahan, Colonel, Theodore Burchfield; on May 9, 1898, he was mustered in at Mount Gretna, Pennsylvania, and sent to the training camp at Chickamauga, Georgia, being transferred thence to the hospital service at Lexington, Kentucky; on November 7, 1898, he was discharged at Indiana, Pennsylvania; he affiliates with Temple Lodge, No. 678. Free and Accepted Masons, of Pittsburgh, and is a past grand of R. Biddle Roberts Lodge, No. 530. Independent Order of Odd Fellows, also of that city; he is a member of the encampment of the same order and belongs to the Heptasophs and the Sons of St. George, of which he is a past president and past district deputy for the Pittsburgh district, also a member of the Grand Lodge; he is past president of the Allegheny City Gymnastic Club; at present he is exalted ruler of Allegheny Lodge, No. 339, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks; Dr. Ashcom married Catherine, daughter of Charles K. and Mary (Pickenue) Wilton, natives of Marienville, Forest county, Pennsylvania, and they have three children, John M., Dick S. and Charles Wilton, who are attending school in Pittsburgh. 2. Earl Denny, graduated from Kiskiminetas Preparatory School and afterward attended the University of Princeton; he is now chief car dispatcher for the Pittsburgh Railway Company, and resides at Edgewood; Mr. Ashcom married Lorna, daughter of Andrew and Sarah Brazenell, and they have two children, Andrew S. and Sarah A. 3. Thomas L., graduated from Princeton Preparatory School and afterward attended Princeton University; he is now assistant cashier of the Trust Company, Jeannette; he affiliates with the Masonic order of that place and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows of Ligonier; Mr. Ashcom married Estelle, daughter of Josiah Rhoads, of the neighborhood of Newcastle, Pennsylvania, and they have one child, James O'Hara. 4- Mary E., graduated from the Spencer School, New York City, and resides with the family of Captain H. S. Denny. It was not given to the father of this family to be a witness of all that his children have accomplished. On October 23, 1897, he passed away, rejoicing in their promise and leaving to them the priceless legacy of a stainless name and an unblemished record. The Ulerlch Line Samuel Ulerich, grandfather of Mrs. Adelaide (Ulerich) Ashcom, was born in Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, and was, as his name denotes, of German ancestry. He removed to Ligonier Valley, where he appears to have passed the remainder of his life. In politics he was a Democrat, and in religious belief he inclined toward the doctrines of the Presbyterian church. Mr. Ulerich married (first) Mary McDowell, and their children were: Joseph, married Catherine Walker; John, mentioned below; William, died young; and Julia Ann, married James Roberts. Mr. Ulerich married (second) Elizabeth McDowell, sister of his first wife. By this union there were no children. . John Ulerich, son of Samuel and Mary (McDowell) Ulerich, was born in Ligonier Valley, and began his career as an agriculturist by renting the Thomas Pollock farm, later moving to Waterford, where he purchased the farm of Mrs. Fannie Noble. He did not live on this estate, but resided on another of Mrs. Noble's farms. In all he was the owner of one hundred and eighty acres. In politics Mr. Ulerich was a Republican and held, at different times, all the township offices. He was an active member of the Methodist Episcopal church of Ligonier. Mr. Ulerich married (first) Mary Ann Kaylor, born in Unity township, daughter of Squire Kaylor, whose other children were Susan and Catherine, also another daughter who resides in Kansas and one son who is a physician. Squire Kaylor died at the age of forty years when his daughter Mary Ann was but twelve years old. Mr. and Mrs. Ulerich were the parents of the following children: Mary Elizabeth, married Joseph Walters; Adelaide, mentioned below; William W., married (first) Nora Walters and (second) Anna Keener; Jennie R., died at the age of fourteen years; Samuel S., married Elizabeth Carr; Margaret R., became the wife of Frank McConnaughey; Albert K., married Lulu Griffith; and Sadie, died young. Mr. Ulerich married (second) Eliza, daughter of Peter Lenhart, there being no children by this marriage. Mr. Ulerich's death, which occurred March 6, 1895, was caused by an accident, and his funeral was the largest ever held in the Ligonier Valley. His widow died in 1918. Adelaide Ulerich, daughter of John and Mary Ann (Kaylor) Ulerich, was born in Ligonier Valley. She received her earliest education in township schools, afterward attending the Ligonier Academy which was then presided over by I. M. Graham. She became the wife of John A. Ashcom, as stated above. Mrs. Ashcom is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, being identified with all its societies. After the death of her husband Mrs. Ashcom was appointed by President McKinley postmistress of Ligonier and for twenty years filled the office with a degree of ability which left nothing to be desired. On August 7, 1917, she was reappointed by President Wilson.

  
  

• Sources

  [S58] Ligonier Valley Cemetery, Ligonier, PA (1992).