Chester Ashley (June 1, 1790 – April 29, 1848) was an American politician who represented Arkansas in the United States Senate from 1844 until his death.
For some twenty years Ashley's practice was the largest in the state, and he became a wealthy man. He also owned slaves (including the father of Little Rock teacher Charlotte Andrews Stephens), speculated in land, and was the owner and operator of plantations in the southeastern portion of the state.[2] His wealth led him to try his hand at politics; in 1844 he canvassed the state campaigning for James K. Polk for president; the Democrats were victorious, and Ashley was elected by the state legislature to fill a vacancy in the Senate. Soon after entering, he was made the Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee; in 1846, he was reelected to the Senate. Two years later, he became suddenly ill in the Senate Chamber and died not long after.
Personal life
Ashley was the father of Delos Rodeyn Ashley, who went on to serve as the State Treasurer of California and as a U.S. representative from Nevada.[3]
