John Ash Jr.

John Ash Jr. was born Feb 10, 1820 in Stockport, England to John and Sarah Rainer Ash. John is a Pioneer of Richmond. John is a veteran of the Indian Wars.

History

At a young age, the family moved to Birmingham, England where John became an apprentice to a gunsmith. After that, he married Jane Lunt in April of 1884. They had two kids, both of whom died before the age of three. Jane later died in 1848. A year later, John married Mary Stephenson in 1849. They had one child in 1851, but in the following year, Mary died, and their child died in 1853. That same year, John married Sophia Edwards.

Soon after their marriage, the Ash family became acquainted with the Missionaries of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and were baptized. On March 23, 1856, the family began the trek to Utah, reaching on Sep 26, 1856. John opened a gunsmith shop in Salt Lake City to earn an income making pistols.

In 1860, the Ash family, along with the Griffin family, decided to seek a new home in Cache Valley, where they moved to Richmond. After about three years in Richmond, and the death of Sophia and Sarah, in 1863 the Ash family moved to Logan, Utah where he stayed the rest of his life.

Indian Wars Service

After the construction of the Richmond Fort in 1860 and other forts in Cache Valley, the Territory of Utah created the Cache Military District on Oct 15, 1861 with Church Apostle Ezra T. Benson as Colonel. On June 16, 1863, Richmond was organized into two companies of Infantry and two squads of Cavalry. John was appointed a Private in both instances.

On Sep 14, 1864, the Richmond Home Guard was created with Henry Standage as Captain. At any cost, the city Guard was to protect. Most of the Guard, including Gilbert, consisted of Minute-Men. They had regular drills every night.2 The Home Guard was released from active duty on Oct 25, 1864. This is while his permanent residence was in Logan, Utah.

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