Askew (William and Edna) COllection, ca. 1925-1985

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Summary

Title:
William and Edna Askew Collection
Dates:
ca. 1925-1985
Creators:
Askew, William L. Askew, Edna
Abstract:
William Louis Askew (1905-1958) was born on May 8, 1905 to Harrison Winton (1865-1930) and Jessie May Askew (1868-1957), settled in Carmel in 1918 where he and many of his 10 siblings remained to live and work. William worked for Hugh Comstock as a carpenter when he first returned to Carmel after working as a cowboy in the San Joaquin Valley. William and Edna Marie Cornelius (1908-2001) were married in 1958 and Edna set up a dressmaking business in her home and lived in Carmel until her death in 2001. The collection is made up of a scrapbook that contains newspaper clippings, letters, cards, brochures, approximately 33 photographs, poetry by Edna Askew and other items that detail the family’s life in Carmel.
Extent:
1 archival box (1 scrapbook)
Language:
Preferred citation:

William and Edna Askew Collection, Henry Meade Williams Local History Room, Harrison Memorial Library, Carmel, CA

Background

Scope and content:

This is a scrapbook that contains newspaper clippings, letters, cards, brochures, approximately 33 photographs, poetry by Edna Askew and other items that detail the family’s life in Carmel. A detailed genealogical chart is contained in Folder #2 in the Collections Finding Aids filing cabinet of the Local History Room. Photographs are from ca. 1925 through 1958 and span 5 generations including Harrison and Jessie Askew, their 10 children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Items include Christmas cards designed by and from Jo Mora, Edna’s poetry awards, a Clint Eastwood for Mayor Brochure, and handwritten notes on family history by Edna. Newspaper clippings are from 1946-1996.

Biographical / historical:

William Louis Askew (1905-1958) was born on May 8, 1905 to Harrison Winton (1865-1930) and Jessie May Askew (1868-1957), settled in Carmel in 1918 where he and many of his 10 siblings remained to live and work. William worked for Hugh Comstock as a carpenter when he first returned to Carmel after working as a cowboy in the San Joaquin Valley. William and Edna Marie Cornelius (1908-2001) were married in 1958 and Edna set up a dressmaking business in her home and lived in Carmel until her death in 2001. They had two sons, William “Bill” Jr. (1927-2018), and Frederick Charles (1933-2002). William Sr. later worked for the city of Carmel and became the superintendent of Public Works for 30 years. He died on May 25, 1958, and his son, William Jr., took over as superintendent of Public Works for another 30 years.

Acquisition information:
Donated by Edna Askew.
Processing information:

Processed on 12/06/2018

About this collection guide

Collection Guide Author:
Finding aid created by Harrison Memorial Library staff.
Date Prepared:
ca. 1925-1985
Date Encoded:
This finding aid was produced using Record Express for OAC5 on Oct. 6, 2025, 4:45 p.m.

Access and use

Restrictions:

Materials are open for research.

Terms of access:

The Henry Meade Local History Room, Harrison Memorial Library does not hold copyright to these items. Permission to publish must be obtained from the copyright holder by the user.

Preferred citation:

William and Edna Askew Collection, Henry Meade Williams Local History Room, Harrison Memorial Library, Carmel, CA

Location of this collection:
P.O. Box 800
Mission St & 6th Ave
Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA 93921, US
Contact:
(831) 624-1615
hml.localhist@gmail.com
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