Edwin Hinckley ASHCRAFT

                       BIOGRAPHY: Poem from mother on first Birthday: Baby's First Birthday 

    You came in  February, dear, 
    In the short month of the year; 

    Came our hearts and home  to cheer 
    When the days were dark and drear, 

    When the skies were overcast,  
    When the wild winds whistled past, 

    And the snow flakes fell so fast 
    Driven  by the wintry blast; 

    Then our baby girl was born 
    On a February morn.

    Hour by hour, and day by day, 
    Soon the short month sped away. 

    And March  came with rude, rough gales.

    April rain came softly down 
    On the earth, so bare and brown; 
    April sun  made all things fair, 
    And bird-voices filled the air.

    Next came May with sunny hours 
    Spring to crown with fairest flowers 
    Month  of out-door sport and song 
    Month to which such joy belong

    Ah we felt life was a boon 
    'Neath the azure skies of June 
    Earth was  fair, and Heaven seemed near, 
    'Neath those skies so blue and clear.

    But the days went swiftly by; Came the warm month of July, 
    And your  lullaby we sung where tall trees their shadows flung

    August came with greater heat, The Summer's work to complete August, with 
    warm sultry air, August, with bright glow and glare.

    Then September's welcome rain Fell against the window-pane, Saying,  "Summer's
    work is done, Now is August's task begun."

    Soon the days October brought, And a wondrous change was wrought For the 
    frost with touch so bold, Turned the leaves to red and gold.

    Sad November next was here, With dark days, so bleak and drear; With the  wild
    winds wailing round With the dead leaves on the ground.

    December's cold was in the air, And the trees stood leafless, bare When  our
    Christmas wreaths were hung, And our joyful carols sung.

    January next was here, And we welcomed a New Year; Bright with promise,  full
    of hope, All joys seemed within its scope.

    February now we greet And your first year is complete; For these months,  so
    quickly told Make our darling one year old.

    Poem for Second birthday: 

    Two years since our Florence came Care and love  from us to claim 
    And our hearts to win and hold As the long months by us  rolled.

    Care for her was only pleasure And our love we could not measure She had 
    grown to us so dear When she'd been with us a year.

    Now another year has sped O'er our little darling's head, She is further  on
    life's way, She is two years old today.

    Two years old dear little one Scarcely is the race begun May her tender 
    little feet With no rugged pathway meet

    May her childhood rosy be, Filled with sunshine sport and glee; Guarded by 
    her parents care, And by love made sweet and fair.

    Her's a golden girlhood too Cheered by friendships fond and true; With  high
    aims, that shall ensure Earnest work and pleasure pure.

    Noble be her womanhood Crowned with all things fair and good All that  life
    and love can give, Be they hers while she shall live

    Ah could we her path prepare We would smooth it everywhere; Make it easy  to
    her feet, Strew it o'er with flowers sweet.

    But we can not even know Where those little feet must go; Where the path 
    shall wind and wend, Nor how soon or late the end.

    We are loving but not wise, Much is hidden from our eyes; We can only hope 
    and pray, Trusting God from day to day.

    If the way be rough and steep He a loving watch will keep If the way be 
    smooth and fair Still she'll need his tender care.

    May He keep her from all harm Shield her with His mighty arm This the 
                  

                   BIRTH:
    Family Record

    BIOGRAPHY: Attended Philadelphia College of Pharmacy and Science until 1917.
    Served in WW I in the 420th Telegraph Battalion, 9th Corps. He was a
    pharmacist at Clearfield Hospital.