Individual Details

Death

Farmer. Among the intelligent and well-to-do farmers of Howard County, who owe their success to their own industry and good management almost alone, may be singled out for special mention the subject of this sketch. He was a son of Amos and Nellie (Cole) Ashcraft, both of whom were children of early settlers of Howard County. By reference to B.F. Gibson's sketch in the Cooper County division of this work, it will be seen that Mr. Cole, Mrs. Ashcraft's father, was the head of one of the first two families that settled in Howard County, and Amos Ashcraft is believed to have been one of the first white children born in the county. Otho Ashcraft was born in Boon's Lick Township August 9, 1836, and of the family of four children, of which he was a member, there are now but two living - himself and a sister, Mrs. Jesse Burk. His father was a farmer, and, being brought up to that occupation, Otho, on reaching his majority, purchased a small tract of land, the nucleus of his present place, and went to work with an energy that could not fail of success. He now has a good farm of nearly 250 acres, and has it substantially and comfortably improved. On the 19th of November, 1857, he was married to Lucy J., daughter of Wm. Grady, of this county, and of this union there were two children born, of whom one is now living, Bettie F., the wife of Andrew J. Furr, of Virginia. Mr. Ashcraft is a democrat, a member of the A.F. and A.M. and a Knight Templar in the order. He is also a member of the I.O.O.F and of the Christian Church.