Very soon after this engagement he was made lieutenant-colonel of the One Hundred and Third Regiment, at that time about to be raised in the vicinity of Cleveland. He soon after reported to this regiment and was assigned to duty. He went with it to the field; but, after a limited period, was assigned the position of inspector-general on the staff of General Cox. He filled this position with much credit to himself, until early in the year 1864, when he resigned and returned to his home in Cleveland.
Colonel Sterling, as an officer, was much esteemed. As a companion, he was much admired. His easy manners and agreeable conversation gathered about him many friends. Every one regretted his departure from the Seventh; he had been with it through so many trials and dangers, that he was closely identified with it. His company thought well of him, and, therefore, his unexpected departure caused many regrets.
COLONEL JOEL F. ASPER.
Joel F. Asper was born in Huntington, Adams County, Pennsylvania, on the 20th day of April, 1822. When he was but five years old his father removed to Farmington, Ohio, by the slow process of a four-horse team and Pennsylvania wagon. The county of Trumbull was then but sparsely settled.
Until eighteen years of age he assisted his father in clearing a farm, at the same time attending a district school in winter. This is all the school education he ever had; all other education being acquired by his own exertion and application to study out of school.
Having a passion for reading and writing, he was led to study law. But previous to this, however, he commenced teaching a school in Southington, but, for some reason, left it after one month's experience. Early in the year 1842, we find him in the law-office of Crowell and Abel, at Warren, Ohio, and working for his board at the American Hotel.
In 1843, he carried the Western Reserve Chronicle through several townships, and during the entire year did not miss a trip.
In August, 1844, he was admitted to the bar, but remained with General Crowell till 1845, when he learned the daguerrean business, but not succeeding in this, in October following opened a law-office at Warren. His first year's practice netted him over four hundred dollars, and it increased from year to year.
In 1846 be was elected a justice of the peace, and in the following year was married to Miss Elizabeth Brown.
In 1847 he was elected prosecuting attorney. In 1849, was announced as one of the editors of the Western Reserve Chronicle; and wrote, during the campaign of that year, all of the leading political articles published in its columns. During the summer of 1848, Mr. Parker, proprietor of the paper, left for a pleasure excursion, and while absent, Mr. Asper, being left in charge, took ground against General Taylor. During this campaign he did much towards developing anti-slavery sentiments in the party. For this conduct he was denounced by the minority of his party. At this time he made a speech before a Whig convention, which is said to have been the best effort of his life. Carrying out these sentiments, he sustained Martin Van Buren for the presidency, and in the following year ran for prosecuting attorney on the Free-Soil ticket, but was defeated.