WI BIO - Dodge Co - ASHLEY, Cooper N. & Daniel D.
History of Dodge County, Wisconsin. Chicago: Western Historical Company, 
1880, p 687-688

Biography of Daniel D. ASHLEY - p 687-688 (father of Cooper N.)

Daniel D. ASHLEY, Randolph [Dodge County, Wisconsin], was born in Whitesboro, 
Oneida County, New York, in 1810, the son of Daniel and Hetty ASHLEY, natives 
of New Hampshire. When six years old [Daniel ASHLEY] went to West 
Bloomfield, Ontario County, and made that his home until sixteen years of 
age. He then removed to Allegany [p 688] County, New York, and followed 
farming until 1844. Here [Allegany County, New York] he [Daniel D. ASHLEY] 
married Miss Clarissa, daughter of Jonathan and Clarissa BUTTERFIELD, a 
native of Jefferson [Schoharie County], New York. In the summer of 1844 he 
[Daniel D. ASHLEY] came to Westford, Dodge County, and reached his father's 
home 10 July.

They [Daniel and Clarissa (BUTTERFIELD) ASHLEY] have had six children, three 
of whom are living: (1) Cooper N. [his biography follows]; (2) Hettie, now 
Mrs. Milton PALMERLEY, of Jonesville, Hillsdale County, Michigan; and (3) 
Sylvia, now Mrs. L. D. CLARK, of Stoughton, Dane County, Wisconsin. Mr. and 
Mrs. ASHLEY [Daniel and Clarissa (BUTTERFIELD) ASHLEY] are members of the 
Baptist Church. 

Biography of Cooper N. ASHLEY - p 688 (son of Daniel D.)

Cooper N. ASHLEY, Randolph [Dodge County, Wisconsin], is a son of Daniel D. 
and Clarissa, whose biographical sketch appears above. Cooper N. ASHLEY was 
born in Allegany County, New York, 25 December 1835. When about nine years 
old he with his father's family came to the town of Westford [Dodge County, 
Territory of Wisconsin], 10 July 1844, and settled on a farm of 108 acres in 
Section 8, which has since been his home. At the time of their settlement, 
there was not a house within twenty miles of them on the west, and only two 
between them and Fox Lake [Dodge County]. Beaver Dam [Dodge County] then 
consisted of a few small shanties. The old open cylinder was their thrasher; 
they often had the pleasure of waiting three or four weeks for a grist of 
wheat at the mill. [Wisconsin became a state 29 May 1848.]

He [Cooper N. ASHLEY] now owns a farm of 159 acres in Sections 8 and 17, 
Westford [Westford Township, Dodge County, Wisconsin]. Mr. [Cooper N.] 
ASHLEY was the first man to deliver a load of wheat in the village of 
Randolph; it was sold to Mr. G. W. GOULD in August 1857. He [Cooper N. 
ASHLEY] has been a member of the Town Board for several terms. He is one of 
the earliest and most prominent settlers of Westford.

On 29 December 1859 he [Cooper N. ASHLEY] married Miss Jennie [WILLIAMS], 
daughter of William and Ann WILLIAMS, of Watertown, Jefferson County, New 
York, she being a native of Oswego County, New York. They [Cooper N. and 
Jennie (WILLIAMS) ASHLEY] have two daughters: Miss Hattie and Miss Mary.

Submitted by: Cathy Kubly