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biography
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Ash, John Emerson, a wholesale dealer in produce at Pittsburg, was born July 10, 1851, at Greenfield, Mercer County, son of the late Joseph Ash.
His paternal grandfather, who emigrated from Germany to this country when a young man, located in Lancaster, Pa., where he was for many years engaged in the tailoring business. Joseph Ash, who was born, bred, and educated in Lancaster,
also learned there the tailor's trade of his father. Settling in business for himself at Greenfield, he met with prosperity. In the early part of the Civil War he took large contracts for the manufacture of uniforms for the army,
thus giving employment to many hands. He died April 14, 1865, at a comparatively early age. In his political views he was a Democrat, but he was also a strong Unionist. To him and his wife, whose maiden name was Julia A. McBurney,
five children were born; namely, John Emerson, James H., Melvin D., Eva, and Mary. Mary became the wife of James Anderson, of Mercer County. Both parents were members of the United Presbyterian Church, in which the father was an especially active worker.
The mother passed away February 23, 1896.
John Emerson Ash received his education in the common schools of his native town. After the death of his father, being partly thrown upon his own resources, he worked for a while in a coal bank. He subsequently made two trips to New Jersey,
driving sheep across the Alleghany Mountains, and returning by way of the old Portage Railroad and the Pennsylvania Canal. Afterward he worked at various employments until eighteen years of age. Then he went into a blacksmith's shop, where
he served an apprentice-ship of three years. In the following year he was in the grocery business in Greenfield, and in the drug business at Sharon, Pa., for the ensuing two years. Coming to Pittsburg in 1875, he worked for Byers, McCullough & Co.,
iron manufacturers, continuing in the same establishment, after the firm name was changed to A. M. Byers & Co., until 1888. In that year the firm of L. H. Voigt 7amp; Co., consisting of L. H. Voigt, William Baldwin, and Mr. Ash,
was organized, and started in the wholesale produce business. On the death of the senior partner in 1895, the two remaining members of the firm purchased the interest of their former associate, and have since conducted an extensive and lucrative business. Their imports are received from all the leading foreign markets, and their goods are shipped principally to points in Pennsylvania, Ohio, and West Virginia, where they are in great demand. Mr. Ash married May 15, 1881,
Miss Mary Effie, daughter of the late Louis H. Voigt, of Pittsburg. Of the four children born to them three are now living — Marie, Charles Emerson, and Elizabeth Voigt. Mr. Ash has always been identified with the Republican party,
and has been a delegate to county and State conventions. In May, 1896, he was elected a member of the Select Council from the Twenty-first Ward, and is a member of the Committee on Parks and Bridges. He is a Director of the Iron City National Bank.
Prominent in Masonic circles, he belongs to Dallas Lodge, No. 508, of Pittsburgh; to Zerubbabel Chapter, Ascalon Commandery, Pennsylvania Consistory; and to Syria Temple of the Mystic Shrine. He is also a member of Triumph Lodge, A. O. U. W.,
of this city. Both he and Mrs. Ash are members of the Grace Reformed Church, of which he has been a Deacon for eight or nine years, and is one of its most active and interested workers.
Biographical review: containing life sketches of leading citizens of Pittsburg and the vicinity, Pennsylvania. Boston: Biographical Review Pub. Co., 1897, Author: Anonymous.
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