Born: 1778
Birthplace: Chesterfield, VA
Died: 26-Mar-1838
Location of death: Boonville, MO
Cause of death: Pneumonia
Remains: Buried, Indian Burial Mound, Boonville, MO

Gender: Male
Race or Ethnicity: White
Sexual orientation: Straight
Occupation: Business, Politician
Party Affiliation: See Note

Nationality: United States
Executive summary: Fur trader turned Congressman

Military service: US Army

Ashley was the first to manage organized beaver-trapping by white settlers, where previous fur traders purchased pelts from Indians. Purchasing was done at a fair rather than at fixed locations. This spurred a large influx of settlers into the west. He sold his trapping business in 1826 to Jedidiah Smith and other employees.

Wife: Mary Able
Wife: Eliza Christy (m. 1825, d.)
Wife: Elizabeth M. Wilcox (m. 1832)

    US Congressman, Missouri (1831-37)
    Lieutenant Governor of Missouri (1820-24)

Is the subject of books:
William H. Ashley: Enterprise and Politics in the Trans-Mississippi West, 1980, BY: Richard M. Clokey

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