Alben Ashford (1845 - 1887)

Born 3 Jul 1845 in Holcombe, Somerset, England, United Kingdom

Died 23 Feb 1887 at age 41 in Rockford, Winnebago, Illinois, United States

Biography

Private Alben Ashford served in the United States Civil War.
Enlisted: May 14 1864
Mustered out: 20 January 1866
Side: USA
Regiment(s): 141st Regiment, Illinois Infantry, Co. E

Alben was born in 1845. He was the son of John Ashford and Elizabeth Tanner. ^[1]

The family came to the United States in 1858 and settled in Rockford, Illinois. ^[2]

Albert Ashford enlisted with the 141st Illinois Infantry, Co. E in May 1864. He mustered out in October 1864. ^[3] In February 1865 he re-enlisted with his brother Alfred with the 147th. They both mustered out in 1866. ^[4]

Alben passed away in 1887. ^[5]

Obituary

At his home, 902 North Second Street, Alben Ashford died Feb 22, 1887 after a short illness of inflammation of the bowels. Aged thirty seven years.^[6]

Research Notes

Several trees suggest Ashfords had two sons “Albert Alvin” and “Albert”.

In all the Census for the Ashfords there is either an Alben, Alvin, or Albert ^[7][8], never both.

The 1929 Illinois Roll of Honor lists an Alben and A. Ashford who served in 147th Illinois Infantry. The A. is probably Alfred. ^[9]

Sources

1. ↑ "England and Wales Census, 1851," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:SGGG-7GY : 11 September 2019), Alban Ashford in household of John Ashford, Holcombe, Somerset, England; citing Holcombe, Somerset, England, p. 20, from "1851 England, Scotland and Wales census," database and images, findmypast (http://www.findmypast.com : n.d.); citing PRO HO 107, The National Archives of the UK, Kew, Surrey.
2. ↑ "United States Census, 1860", database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MXHG-B5P : 18 February 2021), Alvin Ashford in entry for John Ashford, 1860.
3. ↑ Illinois Civil War Muster and Descriptive Rolls

   Name: Albert Ashford

   Rank: Private

   Company: E

   Unit: 141st Illinois Infantry

   Height: 5' 6

   Hair: LIGHT

   Eyes: BLACK

   Complexion: LIGHT

   Marital Status: Single

   Occupation: Farmer

   Birth Date: Abt 1846

   Birth Place: England

   Service Entry Age: 18

   Service Entry Date: 14 May 1864

   Service Entry Place: Elgin, IL

   Joined By Whom: S H HUNTER

   Period: 100 DAY

   Muster In Date: 16 Jun 1864

   Muster In Place: Camp Kane, IL

   Muster Out Date: 10 Oct 1864

   Muster Out Place: Chicago, IL

   Muster Out By Whom: LT HORR

   Residence Place: Rockford, Winnebago CO, IL

4. ↑ Illinois Civil War Muster and Descriptive Rolls Detail Report
5. ↑ Winnebago County Clerk, comp. Winnebago County Clerk Genealogy Records. Winnebago, IL: Winnebago County Clerk, 2008.

   Name: Alben Ashford

   Death Date: 23 Feb 1887

6. ↑ Daily Gazette (Rockford, IL) 25 February 1887, page 4 GenealogyBank: accessed 18 December 2021
7. ↑ "United States Census, 1870", database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:M6W1-YRF : 28 May 2021), Albert Ashford in entry for John Ashford, 1870
8. ↑ "United States Census, 1880," database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MX23-7BV : 19 December 2021), Albert Ashford in household of John Ashford, Rockford, Winnebago, Illinois, United States; citing enumeration district , sheet , NARA microfilm publication T9 (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.), FHL microfilm .
9. ↑ 1929 Illinois Roll of Honor

   Name: Albin Ashford

   Company: A

   Unit: 147 IL INF

   War: Civil War

   War Years: 1861-1865

   Cemetery: CEDAR BLUFF

   Burial Place: Winnebago, Illinois, USA

   Volume: 2

   Page: 681

• Find A Grave: Memorial #103496133: accessed 07 April 2022), memorial page for Alben Alvin “Albert” Ashford (3 Jul 1845–23 Feb 1887), citing Cedar Bluff Cemetery, Rockford, Winnebago County, Illinois, USA ; Maintained by Mookie (contributor 47515129)