Ashville, Oregon

Ashton Williams was born in rural Missouri on May 23rd, 1836, 25 years prior to Ashville’s founding. After Bleeding Kansas he would head west until he reached Oregon, where he settled alongside a dozen other families. Shortly thereafter, he would be elected as the first mayor of Ashville with only Samuel Jones dissenting. As a result, it was decided to formally found Ashville on his birthday.

As mayor, he would organize construction projects that allowed for the rapid growth of Ashville. At heart, his only goal was to see the town grow and prosper, putting most of his wealth back into the town through providing jobs for many townsfolk. He would open Manor Williams to the public every year to celebrate the town’s founding, letting everyone enjoy a taste of luxury at least once a year.

Thanks to his efforts to win the hearts of Ashville’s residents, Ashton would serve 16 terms. In most elections he ran uncontested, and only in his later years did anyone run against him. Due to his graceful aging, even into his 70s and 80s he won with close to 90% of the vote. His 63 year reign would establish the Williams family’s role in Ashville, and to a lesser degree his successors would carry his momentum.

After the Great Ashville Fire, Ashton became increasingly distant, only leaving Manor Williams for official appearances. Tragically, he would collapse during celebrations in 1924, with it being announced later that day that he had passed away. 99 years ago today, he was given a closed casket funeral and entombed under the site where his statue would be erected. After a period of mourning, the town had a question to ask itself. Who would take over in his absence?