A quiet stroll through any of the old cemeteries in Ashland can reveal many stories, one of them about the woman behind many of the beautifully carved monuments.
In 1865, Maj. James Russell opened a marble-works business in Ashland, the first marble business south of Portland. James had learned his trade in Pennsylvania prior to coming overland. He built a marble mill that was powered by water. James was able to obtain the white crystal marble from a quarry outside of Ashland. When the railroad came through, he began getting marble from Vermont. His wife, Ann, or Hasse as her friends called her, was busy raising their 11 children and taking care of the home.
One day when James was struggling to get a carving just right, Hasse offered to help. She picked up a mallet and a chisel for the first time and began a rewarding career in marble carving.
Hasse kept the business going even after her husband’s death. She designed, carved and even insisted on overseeing the placement of each monument. When she turned 90, she put her tools down and announced her retirement.
Today’s episode of As It Was was written by Margaret LaPlante [Lah-PLANT], the program producer is Raymond Scully. I’m Shirley Patton. As It Was is a co-production of JPR and the Southern Oregon Historical Society. To share stories or learn more about the series, visit asitwas – dot.org
Sources:
Southern Oregon Historical Society vertical files. SOU staff. “The Hill Family.” Table Rock Sentinel Vol. 5 No. 9/10 Oct. 1985. Medford Mail Tribune Oct. 30, 1967.