Ashbel Inman, who has for many years been widely and favorably known both in the business and agricultural districts of Rock Run Township, retired from active labor in the spring of 1867, and took up his residence in Davis, where he is spending his declining years in the quiet and comfort which he has amply earned by a life of industry and economy. His first recollections are of an unpretentious home at Beaver Dam, Delaware Co., N. Y., where his birth took place Sept. 1, 1811. His father, Elsic Inman, was also born and reared in Delaware County, and was mechanic and farmer combined.

The subject of our sketch is the descendant of an old Connecticut family, one of whose sons, the paternal grandfather of our subject, migrated to Delaware County, N. Y., during its early settlement, where he built up a good home from the wilderness, and spent the remainder of his life. His son, Elsic, was reared to manhood in Delaware County, and married Miss Polly Sherwood, of English descent, whose father, upon coming to this country, located in New York City. He died there when his daughter Polly was a young child. The latter was also deprived of a mother's care while young, and was reared by foster parents, with whom she remained until her marriage. This union resulted in the birth of two children only, our subject and his brother John. The latter resides on a farm in Worth County, Iowa. Elsic Inman served as a soldier in the War of 1812, becoming Orderly Sergeant, after which he was never more heard from. The mother survived a number of years, and died at the home of her son John, in Vinton County, Iowa.

Mr. Inman received no advantages whatever in his youth, being in early life compelled to make his own living. When twelve years of age he was taken into the household of Thomas Dent, an English farmer of Delaware County, with whom he remained until he reached his majority. He then started out in life for himself, and among the first important steps was his marriage, which took place in the county of his birth in 1833. The maiden of his choice was Miss Sallie A. DeMunney, who was also born in Delaware County, of French parentage. She came West with her husband in 1849, and assisted in the establishment of the pioneer home in Rock Run Township, where her death took place about 1866. Of this marriage there were born the children whose record is as follows: Mary E. is the wife of John B. Stoner, a farmer, and lives near Creston, Union Co., Iowa; Orville served four years in the army during the war, and participated in about eighteen battles. He was distinguished for his daring and courage, and received the meed of high approval from his commanding officer, while his comrades viewed him with admiration and affection. He married Miss Henrietta McCormick, afterward locating on a farm in Benton County, Iowa. John married Miss Lydia Phelps, and operates a farm near Lena, in this county; Sarah died when an interesting girl of eighteen years; Austin served as a Union soldier, being a member of Co. I, 74th Ill. Vol. Inf., and participated in many of the most important battles of the war. His fate was never known, although it is supposed he is dead, and there were rumors that he had starved in Andersonville Prison; Katie C. is the wife of Benjamin Andrews, a resident of Sioux City, Iowa.

The present wife of our subject, to whom he was married in Davis, Jan. 21, 1869, was formerly Mrs. F. W. (Cary) Stegner, a native of Montgomery County, N. Y. She was born July 1, 1827, and is the daughter of Robert and Mary D. (Gillespie) Cary, also natives of the Empire State. The family was originally of Virginia, whence they removed to New York early in their history. The mother departed this life Dec. 14, 1886, at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Inman, in Davis. She was a lady of remarkable memory, and retained her mental vigor until the last, her death occurring when she had nearly reached her eighty-sixth birthday. The father, who is now eighty-five years old, and remarkably well preserved in mind and body, makes his home with our subject and his wife. His early years were characterized by great energy and industry, and he carried on both farming and merchandising. Both became identified early in life with the Episcopal Church, in which the father still retains his membership.

Mrs. Inman was reared at home, where she remained until her first marriage, with Mr. F. W. Stegner, of Racine, Wis. Mr. S. was a native of Germany, whence he emigrated when a lad thirteen years of age, and arriving in America, located in Wisconsin. The young people, after their marriage, settled in Durand, Winnebago County, where he engaged in the lumber trade until the construction of the C., M. & St. P. R. R. through Davis, when he repaired to that city and established the first lumber-yard within its limits, and built up a flourishing trade. At the outbreak of the Civil War he was one of the first to respond to the call for troops, and assisted in the organization of Co. I, 74th Infantry, of which he was at once made Captain, and led his men to the scene of conflict. After meeting the enemy in several of the important battles of the war, he was instantly killed during the fight at Marietta, Ga., June 27, 1864, by a piece of shell which passed through his head. He was a brave and courageous soldier, and was always found in the thickest of the fray, always at the front. His conduct was such as to secure the commendation of his superiors, and the affection of his subordinates, who laid the soldier to rest in the cemetery at Atlanta, Ga. As a citizen and business man he ranked high in his community, while he was an honored member of the Masonic fraternity. His political sympathies were with the Republican party. Of this marriage there were born two children: Flora S., who is with her mother, and Mary A., the wife of Alton S. Mack, a resident of Davis.

Of the last marriage of Mr. Inman there were born two children: One babe died unnamed; Edwin A., born Dec. 4, 1871, is at home with his parents. Mr. Inman is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, at Davis, and politically, votes the Republican ticket.

Contributed by Carol Parrish from Portrait and Biographical Album of Stephenson County, Ill. (1888), p. 700