ROBERT ASH

 

Robert Ash, attorney, San Francisco, came to California in 1872, began his law practice here, then and since he certainly has been one of the most active citizens in matters having a tendency toward the public good.

 

 He is of Scotch-Irish ancestry on his father’s side.  In the north of Ireland, where his people lived, they held good rank.  Members of his family there were prominent divines and literary men.  The professor Ash who wrote the dictionary well known in the beginning of the century and other learned works, was of his kin.  His grandfather came to his country when quite young and settled in Virginia, and his father was born there.  An uncle after whom he was named was a well-known Episcopal minister.  That gentleman settled in Mississippi and died there of the yellow fever, before the war.  His mother was of the Ohio Reslay family of German descent.  Mr. Ash was born in Indiana, in Jeffersonville.  When only two years old his parents removed, however, to central Ohio and there he was educated.  He attended the public schools and afterward entered Kenyon College at Gambier, Ohio, where he finished his education.  That college is one of the most noted seats of learning in the country and many of our most eminent men were graduated there, among other Chief Judge McKinstry, Judge Reardon, etc., of this coast.

 

Mr. Ash afterwards studied at the Cincinnati Law School, under the well-known Professors Hoadley (afterwards Governor), Storrer and others, and was graduated there in 1870.  His admission by the Supreme Court of Ohio followed.  Up to his coming here he practiced his profession in Ohio.  As we stated, he arrived in the State in 1872, and since then he has had charge of many important cases, and his practice has increased with each passing year.  His practice has been in the main civil, real estate, probate, etc., and by his ability, and zeal in behalf of his clients, he has succeeded in building up a very excellent connection.  Mr. Ash was the attorney for the Real Estate Protective Association and as such attorney he certainly accomplished very effective work in saving the city from unwarranted outlay.  He had charge of the street guide case where a charge was made for lettering some 3000 lamp posts with street names.  He had the posts counted and defeated this job, showing a lettering in only 1,600 cases.  The lake Merced job, which was carried to the Supreme Court on a writ of review, he also handled successfully for the property-owners.  He was counsel in the Cunningham will case, and on the ground of proved intemperance had the will broken and justice to the heirs followed.  The Spangler will case, on the ground of insanity, was also successfully contested by him.  Mr. Ash was counsel for Mrs. Faling in that noted criminal case for the shooting of her husband.  On the first trial the jury disagreed.  He took sole charge following this and his client was acquitted.  This case, as will be remembered, was a very sensational one.  To his law practice indeed he has devoted his best energies and with excellent result for his clients.  Outside his practice, Mr. Ash is also interested in several mining companies and in water companies.  He also has an extensive ranch, vineyard and orchard in Santa Clara county.

 

For some time past he has been engaged on a work that promises to be of great value to lawyers and of great interest to the lay reader.  The title, “Marriage and Community Property,” will convey some idea of its nature.  It will be a most excellent work, however, for it will show the views of the different peoples from the earliest times down of the marriage relation and the rights and responsibilities therein entailed.  He has gathered together a very valuable reference library on this subject, comprising rare and costly works by the church fathers, works by different authors, home and foreign, of both recent and remote time.  His work, when completed, will certainly comprise a complete history and be very valuable indeed.  In this as in all other things Mr. Ash is devoting himself with great thoroughness and exactness. 

 

Politically Mr. Ash is a staunch Republican.  He has always shown himself very active in the interest of his party.  In 1879 he took a prominent stand in behalf of the new constitution.  He also took very active interest in the last campaign.  Since coming here he has been East twice, called there professionally.  To few clubs or societies does he belong, for he has had but little time to attend to these.  He was State President of the Patriotic Order Sons of America, however, and is prominent in Masonry.  He is a member of California Lodge, California Chapter. California Council and a Sir Knight of the Golden Gate Commandery, K. T.