Asbury B. Conaway was born near Bloomington, McLean county, Illinois. His parents removed to Iowa during his early life, and in 1800 he graduated from Wesleyan University at Mt. Pleasant, Ia., obtaining the highest of honors of his class. He soon after enlisted in the 18th Iowa infantry volunteers, and served until the close of the war, having during his service risen to the rank of captain. He was admitted to the bar at Mt. Pleasant, Ia., and engaged in the practice of law there and at Chariton. He served a term in the Iowa legislature, but soon after took up his residence in Wyoming, where he resided since the organization of the territory in 1868. He early became identified with the South Pass mines and for a number of years resided in Sweetwater county. During his residence at Green River he served as county and prosecuting attorney of Sweetwater county and in 1890 was appointed by President Harrison one of the associate justices of the supreme court of the territory of Wyoming. He was also a member of the first Wyoming state constitutional convention. Later he was elected one of the associate justices of the supreme courts. His influence on the jurisprudence of the state is sure to be lasting.