Wells Family - Person Sheet
Wells Family - Person Sheet
NameTheodore Ashmore
Birthabt 1845, New Jersey
Death9 May 1905, Trenton, Mercer Co, NJ
MemoTrenton asylum
Burial13 May 1905, Glenwood Cem, West Long Branch, Monmouth Co, NJ
MemoDr. C. M. Giffin
OccupationFruit Vendor
Misc. Notes
Son of Theodore "Theo" Ashmore and Hannah Maria Goolder
Resided first at New Brunswick, Middlesex Co, NJ and later at West Park, Monmouth Co, NJ. Fruit vendor by trade, drove a fruit wagon for many years in the Asbury Park area. Was as a young man, shot and thrown into a well by a rival suitor of a young women; this event contributed to his having to be committed to an institution at Trenton about 1898.
The newspaper article on his shooting reads as follows:
Sad Shooting Case.
ONE YOUNG MAN FIRES SEVEN SHOTS AT
ANOTHER, FOUR OF WHICH TAKE EFFECT
---ESCAPE OF THE ASSAILANT.
There was considerable excitement in this city last night when it became noised abroad that a serious shooting affray had taken place in East New Brunswick, the parties to which were the sons of two of our most respectable citizens.
All sorts of rumors were at once set afloat, which, added to the excitement that already existed concerning the presence of burglars, created no little uneasiness. There are in this city many persons to whom the mere mention of the word burglar is enough to deprive them of night's rest, so timid and sensitive are they.
The affair last night carries great grief into more families than those immediately concerned, as the friends of the parents of the young men deeply sympathize with them in this unlooked-for trouble.
The facts of the shooting so far as known to us are;
Frank Stewart invited Theodore Ashmore, Jr., to go over the river with him shortly after eight o'clock last night, for the purpose of meeting there two girls. They had been seen together by several persons in this city just previous to that time. Ashmore accepted the invitation in good faith, and both walked over the bridge together. They passed on up the road until they came to the first private road on the right-hand side. They walked through the gateway and down the road talking to each other all the while. Suddenly, young Ashmore says, Frank Stewart fell behind a short distance, then came forward, struck Ashmore and pulled out a small seven-shooter Smith & Wesson revolver. This, it is charged, was leveled at the head of Ashmore, seven shots being fired before Stewart desisted, and then, it seems, only because the chambers were all emptied.
The two young men, after the shooting, walked together back to the Albany street bridge. Before reaching it Stewart proposed that they should go to the telegraph office in East New Brunswick. This Ashmore refused to do, and continued to walk over the bridge, his assailant accompanying him as far as Albany street, when he left him and it is supposed, took the road leading to New York.
When left alone Ashmore walked up Albany and turned toward Church street. Reaching Mr. Carson's cigar store in the latter street he informed those in there what had happened to him. Mr. Carson kindly assisted the wounded man to Dr. Williamson's office in George street, but that gentleman being out they went to Dr. Baldwin's office, where Dr. Rice was found and afterwards Dr. Baldwin himself.
Young Ashmore kept up well until the physician's office was reached. There he sank down and said he thought all was up with him. An examination was at once begun to ascertain the extent of his injuries.
Blood was at this time flowing freely from a wound in the right temple. At this point a ball had entered and worked its way through the surface of the skull to the top of the head for a space of about three or four inches. The ball was found here, and cut out by the physician. A second ball was found to have entered the collar of his coat and passed through the muscles of the back of his neck. This ball was not removed.
The third ball lodged in the wrist of one arm, and the fourth in the other arm a little way above the wrist. One of these passed clean through and the other was removed.
After the examination, and when the wounds were dressed, Ashmore was taken home, accompanied by his father and Mr. Carson. He was strong enough to walk the whole distance.
The physicians think he will recover, unless some unfavorable symptoms should develop themselves. This morning he was progressing as well as could be expected.
The motive of young Stewart for shooting his companion is not known, though it is presumed that a woman is at the bottom of the unfortunate affair. Stewart was in Chief Oliver's office about eight o'clock last night. Then he was slightly intoxicated, the officer asserts.
The version of the matter given above is of course a one-sided affair, as all the information is derived from the young man attacked.
Chief Oliver has left nothing undone to secure the arrest of Stewart, and was on the alert for him all last night.
Young Ashmore had on his person a valuable gold watch, a gold ring and about $5 in money. These were still in his possession when he reached his home.
The names of the girls whom the young men went to see are known to the police.

His obituary:
ROMANCE OF LONG
AGO CAUSES DEATH
------
Theodore Ashmore, When Young,
Shot by Rival Suitor, Dies After Many Years
------
Theodore Ashmore, formerly a resident of West Park, and who for many years drove a fruit wagon in the territory surrounding, died yesterday at the Trenton asylum, where he had been a patient for seven years.
Ashmore was a resident of New Brunswick. When quite a young man he was shot by a rival for the affections of a young lady to whom he was attentive at the time. He was thrown into a well and when rescued was more dead than alive. The wound and shock following this untoward adventure finally resulted in brain trouble, which, becoming more aggravated, at last resulted in his confinement in the Trenton institution, where his sufferings were ended yesterday.
The deceased was a member of Good Will Council, Junior Order of American Mechanics of New Brunswick. He was tenderly cared for during his illness by the members. He was also a member of Asbury Council, Jr. O. U. A. M. of this city, which will take charge of the body when it arrives here today and will also conduct the funeral.
Ashmore leaves a wife and two sons. He formerly resided at the corner of West Summerfield Avenue and Comstock street.

His Funeral Notice:
Funeral of Theodore Ashmore.
Funeral services over the body of Theodore Ashmore, who died in Trenton Tuesday, will be held at the house, 1043 Summerfield avenue, at 2:30 o'clock Saturday afternoon, Dr. C. M. Giffin officiating. Burial will be made at Glenwood cemetery, West Long Branch.
Spouses
Birth2 Aug 1849, Deal, Monmouth Co, NJ
Death12 Dec 1927, Asbury Park, Monmouth Co, NJ
Burial15 Dec 1927, Glenwood Cem, West Long Branch, Monmouth Co, NJ
MemoRev. Furman A. DeMaris, First Meth Episcopal
FatherJohn William Conrow (1801-1872)
MotherMary A. Van Note (1809-1867)
Misc. Notes
She is listed as Debbie H. Conrow on their marriage record, and Debby in other records.
Listed with her father in 1870 census lived in Ocean Twp (single) in 1877 when she received her share of father's estate.
Her obituary reads:
Another Pioneer of Asbury Dies ----
Mrs. Deborah H. Ashmore of 1043 Summerfield Avenue, a pioneer of Asbury Park, where she lived for almost half a century, died suddenly last night. Mrs. Ashmore, who was the widow of Theodore Ashmore, had been in poor health for several weeks but was able to be abourt her room yesterday. Death was ascribed to a general breakdown.
Mrs. Ashmore, who was 78 years of age, was born in Deal, the daughter of John and Mary VanNote Conrow. Her husband died several years ago and she was the last of a family of nine children. She is survived by two sons, H. Warren Ashmore of this city and Charles W. Ashmore of Red Bank. She was for many years a member of the Asbury Park lodge, Sons and Daughters of Libery.
Funeral services will be held Thursday morning at 11, from the late residence, with Rev. Furman A. DeMaris, pastor of the First Methodist Episcopal church, officiating. Interment, in charge of Funeral DirectorAlbert W. Worden, Jr. of Red Bank, will be in Glenwood cemetery, West Long Branch.
Marriage10 Apr 1882, Branchburg, Monmouth Co, NJ
ChildrenCharles Wilson (1883-1966)
 Henry Warren (1885-1944)
Last Modified 7 Jul 2017Created 5 Aug 2023 using Reunion on a Mac