Page:Encyclopedia of Virginia Biography volume 5.djvu/821

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VIRGINIA BIOGRAPHY 1125


by married Martha Turner Chunn, daughter of Captain Chunn, of the state mihtia, and had issue.

Bernard Ashby, son of Samuel Turner and Martha Turner (Chunn) Ashby, was born at Aspendale, Fauquier county, Vir- ginia, December 21, 1855. His studies were begun in private schools in his native county, and for three years, 1871-73 in- clusive, he attended Bethel Military Acad- emy. His first position after leaving school was as clerk in a general store at Culpeper, Virginia, and subsequently he became de- puty clerk in the county and circuit courts, holding this office for about four years. When retiring from his connection with the courts of his district, Mr. Ashby formed an association with the Baltimore & Ohio Rail- road that endures to this time. Baltimore, Maryland, was the city of his first service, and he was there attached to the sleeping car department. Upon transference from Baltimore to Cincinnati, Ohio, he was pro- moted to the position of traveling passen- ger agent. 1891. when he came to Philadel- phia, where he has since been located. His able discharge of the duties that had been placed upon him in the different capacities in which he had served won for him eleva- tion to the office of district passenger agent, of which he has been the incumbent since December 1, 1899. Mr. Ashby's long con- nection with the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad Company has been characterized by the most pleasant relations, and in faithful, effi- cient service he has attained responsible place. He is a member of the Westchester Country and Golf Club, and during his years at Bethel Military Academy, Warrenton, Virginia, became a member of the Alpha Tau Omega fraternity, affiliated with the Greek letter societies; he is also a member of the Pennsylvania Society, Sons of the Revolution. While a resident of Culpeper county, Virginia, he was active in the work of the National Guard of the state, and for two years served as lieutenant of the Cul- peper minute-men.

Bernard Ashby married, April 26, 1900, Caroline Thomas Butler, of an old Pennsyl- vania family long prominent in the Society of Friends, born at Westchester, Pennsyl- vania, December 10, 1859, daughter of Judge William and Letitia (Thomas) Butler, her father the distinguished jurist of the United States district court. Eastern Pennsylvania, formerly judge of the Chester county court.