Biography of John W. Ashleman, pages 837 / 838.  History of De Kalb County, 
Indiana.  Inter-State Publishing Company, Chicago, 1885.

John W. Ashleman, the second son of John W. and Mary Ashleman, was born in 
Wanye County, Ohio, March 27, 1844.  His parents were natives of Germany, 
and were married in Switzerland about 1834 and came to the United States and 
located in Wayne County, Ohio.  They subsequently moved to De Kalb County, 
Ind., and settled on a farm just east of Auburn, entering 160 acres.  After 
getting ready to start for America, Mr. Ashleman’s trunk was robbed of its 
contents, including all his money.  His friends assisted him, but he arrived 
in a strange country with no means.   He was possessed of a large amount of 
energy, and went bravely to work and was eminently successful, accumulating 
a large landed estate, owning at his death over 900 acres.  His family 
consisted of nine children---Elizabeth, wife of A. J. Cramer; Moses; 
Barbara, wife of Charles Eckart; Mary, wife of Fred Raut; Regina, wife of 
Enos Weaver; Anna, wife of George Walker; John W.; Christian, and Rosa, wife 
of A.J. Saxton.  John W. was reared on a farm, receiving a common-school 
education. After his marriage he settled on his present farm, where he 
owns eighty acres of land, with good buildings.  He is a neat and thrifty 
farmer, and also pays considerable attention to stock-raising.  He was 
married in 1868 to Aurelia Chidsey, daughter of Lyman Chidsey.  To them 
have been born three sons---Lyman, William and Frank.

Submitted by:
Arlene Goodwin
Auburn, Indiana
Agoodwin@ctlnet.com