William H. Ash

William Horace Ash (born 1859, died 1908) was an African-American politician and former slave. He was a member of the Virginia House of Delegates during the 1887–1888 session.^[1][2] In 2012 he was one of several African-Americans recognized by the MLK Commission and the Virginia Senate for being elected to the Virginia General Assembly during the Reconstruction Era.^[3]

Personal and early life

Ash was born a slave on May 15, 1859 in Loudoun County, Virginia. He attended the Hampton Normal and Agricultural Institute, where he graduated in 1882. He worked as a teacher for many years and helped found the Teachers Reading Circle, a short-lived organization for African American educators. On May 29, 1889 Ash married Sallie B. Miller, with whom he had no children. During his time as a politician Ash studied law and self-identified as a lawyer, although there is no record of him having actively practiced this profession.^[4]

After retiring from politics Ash returned to teaching and in 1907, began teaching at the Virginia Normal and Industrial Institute. He died at this college on February 14, 1908 from kidney failure.^[4]

Political career

African American members of the General Assembly from 1887 to 1888; Ash is in the top row, second from the right

Ash became interested in politics while working as a teacher. In 1884 he served as the Nottoway County delegate to the Virginia state party convention for the Republican Party and in 1887, was nominated by this party to the Virginia House of Delegates.^[4] He did not have much in the way of competition and won the seat easily, despite Ash having concerns over his support of the powerful and controversial William Mahone. Ash only served for one term and in 1888 was replaced by Henry Johnson.^[4]

References