Family History Today
Missouri Senator Maj. Daniel Ashby
Daniel Ashby was born on October 11, 1791, in Fauquier
County, Virginia, but spent much of his childhood in Mercer County, Kentucky.
He grew up in a time of great change, as the United States was still a young
nation finding its footing. Like many families of the era, his moved west in
search of opportunity.
As a young man, Daniel served in the War of 1812, which was
fought between the United States and Britain. He later married Cassandra Leeper
in 1814 in Hopkins County, Kentucky. The couple started a family and, in 1818,
made the big move to Missouri, settling in Chariton County. Missouri was still
a frontier at the time, with settlers working hard to build communities from
the ground up.
Daniel quickly became an important figure in his new home.
He was known for his strong sense of justice, and one of his early roles was
serving as the sheriff of Hopkins County before leaving Kentucky. In Missouri,
he continued his public service by becoming a member of the first county court
and later serving in both the Missouri House of Representatives and Senate. He
was also appointed as a federal land receiver by Presidents Van Buren and
Tyler, a role that involved managing public land sales—an essential job as
settlers continued to move west.
During his time in the Missouri Senate in the 1830s, Maj.
Daniel Ashby played a role in shaping the state's policies during a time of
territorial disputes and tensions with Native American tribes. He was involved
in the response to conflicts such as the Big Neck War, an uprising in 1827 that
reflected ongoing struggles between settlers and indigenous groups over land
and resources. Additionally, he was among the officials present during the
infamous Haun’s Mill Massacre of 1838, a violent episode in Missouri’s troubled
history with the Mormon settlers. His participation in key political decisions
of the era illustrates the difficult and often controversial choices faced by
leaders on the frontier.
Outside of politics, Daniel was deeply involved in the local
community. He was known for his good relationships with the Native American
tribes in the area, particularly the Iowa tribe, with whom he traded and even
competed in foot races. He also played a role in local militia efforts, leading
a company during the brief conflict known as the Big Neck War in 1827.
Daniel’s personal life saw many ups and downs. He and
Cassandra had several children, and after her passing in 1848, he remarried
multiple times. His later years were spent in Chariton County, where he
remained a respected member of the community. In 1877, just a year before his
passing, he was honored at the Old Settlers' Reunion in Keytesville, Missouri,
where he was compared to legendary frontiersman Daniel Boone.
Daniel Ashby passed away on his 87th birthday, October 11,
1878, in Chariton, Missouri. He was buried in the old Ashby Cemetery, leaving
behind a legacy of service, resilience, and leadership. His life spanned an era
of immense growth and transformation in America, and his contributions to
Missouri’s early development remain part of the family’s history.
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