Rash's Surname Index
Notes for Samuel Howell ASHBRIDGE
For many years Samuel H. Ashbridge has been widely and honorably known as Philadelphia's Coroner, figuring largely in the history of the State, not alone for his attainments, but for the possession of those qualities which endear him generally to the people. He is an apostle of patriotism, and preaches love of country with a dignity and wholeheartedness that public men do not always display. He is an orator of rare ability, and while this is among the least of the qualities which tend to make him a successful public man, yet it has been a strong factor in establishing his popularity. He declaims for the doctrine's sake and not to curry favor, and he misses no opportunity to drop a word where there is a chance to find good soil for American pride. It is as such a speaker that he has been called upon at nearly every meeting of patriotic bodies for many years.
Samuel H. Ashbridge was born December 5, 1849, in the northern part of Philadelphia, and that city has ever been his residence. He is the son of S. Howell and Jane P. Ashbridge, both members of old and prosperous Quaker families. Samuel recieved his education in the public schools, and advanced rapidly in his studies until he became filled with the desire to enter the business world. Accordingly, when hardly more than a boy, he made his start in life as a clerk in the employ of the drug firm of Robert Shoemaker & Company. He left that position after a time to accept a more advantageous one as bookkeeper for the firm of Joseph Hancock & Company, who operated large coal yards, and by close application he soon made himself master of all details of the business. It has always been his ambition to become independent and to establish himself on a practical footing in the commercial world. The subordinate positions which he filled in business life were regarded by him as stepping stones, for the spirit of leadership has always been a strong factor of his character. He began business for himself as the proprietor of a coalyard at Eighth and Girard Avenue. This venture was a modest one, but the trade grew through unflagging attention and hard work. In business, Samuel H. Ashbridge was a success. When Thomas J. Powers was appointed as Coroner for the unexpired term of Dr. Gilbert, deceased, he chose Mr. Ashbridge as his Deputy. Mr. Powers had been a warm friend, and saw in him the material for a successful man. When Mr. Powers' term expired, Mr. Ashbridge, who, as a Deputy, had lost no time in familiarizing himself with every detail of the position, was retained by Dr. Janney, the next Coroner, as Chief Clerk. Years later, Mr. Powers again became Coroner, and made his friend Deputy, and office, which, though it had not been considered of much importance before, was gradually raised by his energy and force to a degree of responsibility that relieved the chief of many of the routine duties and minor details. In the election of 1886, Mr. Ashbridge, who had demonstrated his ability, was elected to succeed Mr. Powers. In him was recognized a character and force eminently fitted for public service, and his election was considered a matter for congratulation by the people. He has held the office from that time, through each term giving additional evidence of his ability and worth. The fact that he has been returned to his duties at the end of every three years, being elected for the fourth time in the fall of 1894, may well be considered as an unqualified endorsement by the people of his fidelity and business-like management. While Coroner he inaugurated many changes in the administration of the methods of his department, making indeed an almost complete re-organization in the holding of inquests. The record of cases and evidence is far more precise than ever, and the cases are disposed of expeditiously, while care in every investigation is never relaxed. The Coroner has had no medical degree, and until his appointment as Deputy had never interested himself in that science. He realized, however, in the first few days of his work, that if he were to perform his duties with thoroughness he should have to study both medicine and law. In a year or so he was both surgeon, toxiologist and lawyer so far as the requirements of the position demanded.
In 1895, Mr. Ashbridge, who by that time had become one of the most prominent figures in Philadelphia political life, was an aspirant to the Mayoralty, but in the Republican Convention Charles F. Warwick was nominated. His intense loyalty to the party was indicated in his activity on the behalf of the successful candidate. During the entire campaign that followed he was one of the most active of the speakers at ward meetings, and in many other ways displayed his earnestness in Mr. Warwick's behalf. In the ante-convention canvass he taxed his energy so severely that his health was undermined, permanently, his friends thought, and many of them hardly anticipated that he would survive the campaign. In the middle of the contest his physician advised him to travel, and he spent several months in Bermuda and the West Indies. He is now, as result of his naturally strong constitution and the care which he exercised, nearly as robust as he was when urged into the Mayoralty Canvass. In the fall of 1886, after James L. Miles, the regular Republican nominee for sheriff, had resigned the nomination, Mr. Ashbridge was requested by his party to accept it. Yielding to the solicitation of the Republican leaders, he accepted the nomination, and in the election of that year was defeated. He has continued, however, to be an active participant in the higher works of the Republican Party, while he has given his attention to the duties of the Coroner's office ever since.
Mr. Ashbridge is a prominent figure in patriotic societies, and has been pre-eminently a man of social instincts ever since he began his career. From his early manhood he has taken an active part in the promulgation and establishment of such organizations as have tended to increase and further the love of country. He is a member of a number of fraternal orders, and is affiliated with twenty-three societies in all, being an officer of many. He is a member of the Union Republican and Young Republican clubs.
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