James Ashley (politician)

James Ashley (1824-1896) was an American politician who served as a U.S. Representative from Ohio during the American Civil War and Reconstruction era. He was a prominent anti-slavery advocate and a member of the Republican Party.

Born in Lock Haven, Pennsylvania, Ashley pursued various occupations, including printing and steamboat engineering, before entering politics. He was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1858, serving from 1859 to 1869.

During his tenure in Congress, Ashley was a strong supporter of abolitionism and the Union cause. He introduced the Thirteenth Amendment to the Constitution, which abolished slavery, although the final version passed by Congress differed slightly from his original proposal. He was a vocal critic of President Andrew Johnson's Reconstruction policies, advocating for greater protection of the rights of newly freed slaves.

After leaving Congress, Ashley served as Governor of the Montana Territory from 1869 to 1870. He later became involved in railroad development. He died in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Ashley's legacy is primarily tied to his contributions to the abolition of slavery and his role in the Reconstruction era.