Howard Ray Ashby

     Howard Ray Ashby was born on 12 April 1890 at Iconium, Appanoose Co., Iowa.^4,5,6,2,7,8 He was the son of George Washington Ashby and Melissa Ann Gravitt.^1,2,3

Howard Ray Ashby was enumerated with George Washington Ashby as Howard G. Ashby on the Census of 22 June 1900. He is listed as a son, age 10 and born in Iowa in Apr. 1890. He has attended school 6 years and can read and write..⁹

Howard Ray Ashby was listed in the household of George Washington Ashby on the 1905 Iowa State Census at Franklin Township, Appanoose Co., Iowa. Other members of the household were Melissa Ann Gravitt, Emery Emmet Ashby, Clyde Hinson Ashby, Alice O. Ashby and Grover Everett Ashby.¹⁰

Howard Ray Ashby was enumerated with George Washington Ashby as Howard Ashby, son on the Census of 20 April 1910 at Center Township, 1st Ward, Centerville, Appanoose Co., Iowa. He is age 20, single and born in Iowa. He is a farm laborer. He can read and write..¹¹

Howard Ray Ashby married Fanny Heavlin, daughter of Elvin Richard Bills and Deborah Fowler, on 26 June 1913 at Lancaster, Schuyler Co., Missouri, when he was 23.¹² [NP:].

Georgia Naomi Ashby, the daughter of Howard Ray Ashby and Fannie Ashby was born 14 August 1914 at Centerville, Appanoose Co., Iowa.

Joe Lazelle Ashby, the son of Howard Ray Ashby and Fannie Ashby was born 9 October 1916 at Centerville, Appanoose Co., Iowa.

Due to a need for men to serve during World War I, the United States instituted a draft. The first registration was for men between the ages of 21 and 31. As a result, this first registration included men born between June 5, 1886 and June 5, 1896. Howard Ray Ashby filled out a draft card on 5 June 1917 in Centerville, Appanoose Co., Iowa. He was of medium height and slender build. His eyes were blue; his hair light brown. He had no previous military service.¹³

Howard Ray Ashby lived at 602 E. Orchard, Centerville, Appanoose Co., Iowa, on 5 June 1917.¹³

Howard Ray Ashby was "teaming" for J. A. Koontz Coal Co. on 5 June 1917 at Centerville, Appanoose Co., Iowa.¹³

Mildred Charlene Ashby, the daughter of Howard Ray Ashby and Fannie Ashby was born 4 August 1918 at Centerville, Appanoose Co., Iowa.

Howard Ray Ashby is head of household on the Census of 15 June 1920 at Center Township, Ward 3, Centerville, Appanoose Co., Iowa, as Howard R. Ashby. He was shown as age 29 and born in Iowa. He rents the home. He could read and write. He was a miner in a coal mine. Also enumerated were Fannie Bills, Georgia Naomi Ashby, Joe Lazelle Ashby, Mildred Charlene Ashby and Ada Frances Heavlin.¹⁴

Ida Ione Ashby, the daughter of Howard Ray Ashby and Fannie Ashby was born 26 May 1921 at Centerville, Appanoose Co., Iowa.

Betty Elaine Ashby, the daughter of Howard Ray Ashby and Fannie Ashby was born 7 May 1926 at Appanoose Co., Iowa.

Howard Ray Ashby lived at Appanoose Co., Iowa, on 18 February 1929.¹⁵

Howard Ray Ashby was shown as the son of George Washington Ashby in George Washington's obituary on 18 February 1929 at Centerville, Appanoose Co., Iowa.¹⁵

Howard Ray Ashby is head of household on the Census of 3 April 1930 at Centerville, Appanoose Co., Iowa, as H. R. Ashby. He is shown as a white male, age 39 and married. He was age 23 when first married. He was born in Iowa and is a coal miner but currently unemployed. He is not a veteran. He is able to read and write. The family home is valued at 1800. The family does not have a radio.. Also enumerated were Fannie Ashby, Georgia Naomi Ashby, Joe Lazelle Ashby, Mildred Charlene Ashby, Ida Ione Ashby, Betty Elaine Ashby and Ada Frances Heavlin.¹⁶

His Social Security Number was 484-05-6638 at Iowa.⁸

Howard Ray Ashby was a retired railroad employee.¹⁷

Howard Ray Ashby was a member of Calvary Baptist Church.⁷

Howard Ray Ashby was shown as the father of Joe Lazelle Ashby in Joe Lazelle's obituary.¹⁸

Howard Ray Ashby died on 22 January 1967 at Embassy Manor, Newton, Jasper Co., Iowa, at age 76. He had been in failing health for 21 years.^19,2,20,8

Fannie Ashby was named as Howard Ray Ashby's wife in Howard Ray's obituary. George Washington Ashby was named as Howard Ray Ashby's father in Howard Ray's obituary. Melissa Ann Ashby was named as Howard Ray Ashby's mother in Howard Ray's obituary. Grover Everett Ashby was/were named as Howard Ray Ashby's brother in Howard Ray's obituary. Ida May Lee was/were named as Howard Ray Ashby's sister in Howard Ray's obituary. Joe Lazelle Ashby was/were named as Howard Ray Ashby's son in Howard Ray's obituary. Georgia Smithers, Mildred Spillman, Ida Ione Adams, Betty Tieszen and Ada Sens was/were named as Howard Ray Ashby's daughter in Howard Ray's obituary.² He was buried at Mt. Ararat Cemetary, Appanoose Co., Iowa, on 25 January 1967; Headstone reads Howard Ray Ashby 1890-1967. Located in Row 11.^2,7,21

On 24 January 1967 at Centerville, Appanoose Co., Iowa, Fannie Ashby was named as Howard Ray Ashby's wife in Howard Ray's obituary. Grover Everett Ashby, Emery Emmet Ashby, Clyde Hinson Ashby and George William Ashby was/were named as Howard Ray Ashby's brother in Howard Ray's obituary. Ida May Lee was/were named as Howard Ray Ashby's sister in Howard Ray's obituary. Joe Lazelle Ashby was/were named as Howard Ray Ashby's son in Howard Ray's obituary. Ada Sens, Georgia Smithers, Mildred Spillman, Ida Ione Adams and Betty Tieszen was/were named as Howard Ray Ashby's daughter in Howard Ray's obituary.⁷

Howard Ray Ashby was shown as the spouse of Fannie Ashby in Fannie's obituary.²²