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| Herbert Ashman was born in Yeovil son of Thomas
Nathaniel Ashman on 11th June 1854. He was head of the firm of Herbert Ashman & Co.
leather factors manufacturers and importers, 2-5 Broadmead. He lived at Cooks
Folly, Stoke Bishop (overlooking the Avon Gorge) which was in its day a 'show
place' and still exists but has since been 'forgotten'. Liberal Councillor of St
Pauls from 1890 - 1900, he was Mayor in 1898 and
1899 when he was knighted (15th November 1899) when Queen Victoria visited Bristol
so he had the distinction of being the last 'Mayor' and first 'Lord
Mayor' of Bristol. He was also president of the
Anchor Society in
1898. He died at his residence (Cooks Folly) on 26th September 1914.
The Western Daily Press of 28th September 1914 noted that,
"for some weeks since the outbreak of war at the
beginning of August he had thrown himself with great energy
into the task of recruiting men for the Forces and day after
day he had been at the Colston Hall as Chairman of the
Recruiting Committee which met daily." His death
followed a short illness after an operation for
appendicitis. He had joined his fathers business in
Bristol at the age of 15 in 1869 and in 1874 he married
Eliza Lorenzo.
He was a Liberal, President of Rodway Hill Golf Club and vice President of Portishead Golf Club - winning the challenge cup there in 1911. He was President of the Ariel Rowing Club and also described as an "ardent motorist"! |