My Genealogy Hound

Below is a family biography included in The History of Greene County, Illinois published by Donnelley, Gassette & Loyd in 1879.  These biographies are valuable for genealogy research in discovering missing ancestors or filling in the details of a family tree. Family biographies often include far more information than can be found in a census record or obituary.  Details will vary with each biography but will often include the date and place of birth, parent names including mothers' maiden name, name of wife including maiden name, her parents' names, name of children (including spouses if married), former places of residence, occupation details, military service, church and social organization affiliations, and more.  There are often ancestry details included that cannot be found in any other type of genealogical record.

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ASHLOCK, JAMES, who was the first blacksmith to locate at Barrow, and who has built one of the best shops in the county, was born in Anderson County, Tennessee, November 23, 1830. He was the fifth child of William and Rebecca Ashlock. In his eighteenth year he accompanied his parents to Greene County, Illinois, where a settlement was made four miles east of Carrollton, where the father followed the calling of a cooper. James proceeded to Scott County, some years after his parents located in Greene County, where he served his time to a blacksmith. Returning to his old home in Greene County he opened a blacksmith shop, transacting business some three years, and during this time married Miss Sylvania Breden. Moving to Wilmington Mr. Ashlock carried on blacksmithing successfully for a period of eleven years. Moving from Wilmington to what is now the town of Barrow, Mr. A. erected the first building and became the first resident of the live little town, and has watched with proud satisfaction its upward growth. In addition to general blacksmithing Mr. Ashlock does a large horse shoeing business, and is known as a superior workman in wood. He has five children; Rosetta, Cyrina C., Sarah L., Wilburn W. and Emma R.

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This family biography is one of 744 biographies included in The History of Greene County, Illinois published in 1879.  View the complete description here: The History of Greene County, Illinois

View additional Greene County, Illinois family biographies here: Greene County, Illinois Biographies

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