U.S. District Court in Toledo renamed for Ashley family

6/3/2010

Federal and local officials gathered Thursday at a celebration designating the federal courthouse in downtown Toledo as the James M. Ashley and Thomas W. L. Ashley Untied States Courthouse.

Longtime congressmen who represented the Toledo area in Congress, both men were known for their achievements in history. The renaming of the courthouse in their honor was done by an act of Congress through a measure sponsored by U.S. Rep. Marcy Kaptur, (D., Toledo).

James Ashley, who served in Congress from 1859-69, was remembered for his co-authorship of the 13th Amendment, which abolished slavery. His great-grandson, who served 13 terms in the mid-1950s through the 1970s, is known for his work on the Housing and Community Development Acts of 1974 and 1977.

The ceremony was held on the Toledo civil mall behind the courthouse located at 1716 Spielbusch Ave.