J. W. Lashley
J. W. Lashley, son of Arnold and Mary (Koontz) Lashley, was born in Washington County, Md., Mary 27, 1834. The father Arnold Lashley, was born in Virginia and removed from there to Washington Co., Md., when a young man, and was there married to Miss Mary Koontz, daughter of Daniel Koontz. Grandfather Koontz was a native of Germany and came to this country at an early day, and Great-great-grandfather Lashley was originally from England. His brother was a soldier in the British army and surrendered under Lord Cornwallis at Yorktown, during the Revolutionary War. From these two have descended the entire Lashley family in America. Arnold Lashley became the father of eight children, four now living: Mrs. M. J. Tewell, John W., Daniel, and Robert, and Mrs. M. Elbin, Mrs. S. Collins, Isaac W. and Mary E. are the ones deceased. Mr. Lashley has followed the occupation of a farmer all his life and has succeeded fairly well at that business. He had brother Isaac, who was wounded during the late war, and died at Fredericksburg, VA. J. W. Lashley received a fair education in the common schools, and in March 1856, was united in marriage to Miss Rachel Ritchie, daughter of Rev. Abraham Ritchie, and the result of this union was the birth of one child, Joseph R. Mrs. Lashley died in February 1857. In 1861 Mr. Lashley married Miss Sarah Collins, daughter of Andrew Collins, and to them there were born six children, all now living; Isaac W., Francis A., Laura D., U.G., Henry C. and O.D. Mr. Lashley left Maryland when quite young, and moved to Bedford County, Penn., where he remained until 1867, when he immigrated to Champaign County, Ill., but shortly afterward moved to Iron County, where he has since lived. During the late war he enlisted in the Ninety-First Pennsylvania, First Division Fifth Corps. While in Illinois Mr. Lashley was elected to the position of the justice of the peace, although he does not seek offices of public trust. He has always followed agricultural pursuits, and owns a splendid farm of 200 acres 150 of which are under cultivation. He is a member of the I.O.O.F., also K of H., is also one of the executive committee of the State of Alliance, and was one of the organizers of the same.