MARTIN ADKINS 1833-1869

Martin Adkins was born in 1833 in Decatur Co., Indiana.  Died in 1869.  He was killed crossing a river with a team of horses.  Buried in Newbern, IA. Cemetery near the Davis plot.  At the time of his death he was trying to lead a team of horses across the flooded Chariton River.  The horses panicked and knocked him down.

   In Feb. of 1864 he enlisted for three years service; Co. G., 15th Iowa Infantry, R.L. Hanks, captain.  Martin was described in his Army papers as 5' 10 1/2" tall, dark eyes, hair and complexion.  He was 31 at the time of his enlistment.  Martin was in the Siege of Atlanta and spent May and June in a Hospital in Keokuk, IA.  He was disabled 4 months.

   He and Perlina Davis had 6 children--Electra, William, Lavena, Serepta, Samuel James (my grandfather) and Martin Jr.

AMOS ASHLEY

I do not remember any stories told about my great grandfather Ashley.  I did find his obituary that was written in the Tonica daily newspaper  from Tonica, Illinois.

 

Obituary taken from theTonica News-Fri. Sept 14, 1894 issue # 29

Death of Amos Ashley.  Although Mr. Ashley has long been a sufferer from kidney complaint, his acute illness at the last was of less than a week's duration.  As the news was rapidly passed from neighbor to neighbor last Saturday evening, it was difficult to realize that he had really gone--gone forever from the activities of life among his friends and associates.  Funeral services were held at the home on Tuesday forenoon with Masonic ceremonies and burial.  Rev. G. L. Taylor spoke briefly from the Scripture, "No man liveth unto himself, and no man dieth unto himself."  He showed how the fabric of our lives is interwoven--how one is dependent upon another, and how impossible it is for a human being to isolate himself entirely from the influence of others.  He had words of consolation and comfort for the bereaved ones mourning their great loss. From the house the friends proceeded to the Tonica cemetery.  By careful count there were found to be 67 carriages in the procession as it started, 15 of them being occupied by Masons.  On arriving at the open grave the Masons rendered their impressive burial service and committed the body of their beloved brother, "earth to earth, dust to dust, ashes to ashes."  Following is the obituary notice read by the minister:  Amos L. Ashley was born at Barnard, Windsor County, Vermont, June 15, 1829. Was brought by his parents to Illinois in 1839; lived in Magnolia until the fall of 1840, then moved to Tonica and lived in that vicinity until the time of his death, which occurred Sept. 8, 1894.  He was married to Velina S. Thomas of Royalton, VT., Feb. 24, 1856; was the father of three children, all of whom were privileged to be with and care for him during his last sickness.

I have been rather slow in posting stories to my blog lately.  Perhaps with the winter coming on I will be spending more time indoors and will try to get back to posting more diligently.  D



JASON ASHLEY

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Jason Ashley at 100 years old

In a previous post I had mentioned a time when Sarah Ashley had to go down into a well to rescue her son Jason.  The above pictured person is that Jason.  (Picture of Jason Ashley was in the possession of Millie Miller of Hendricks, MN. She allowed me to take a photo of it to add this story.  Aug 31, 2009.) 

This note was taken from the Tonica News Friday Mar. 1, 1895 issue #1

Jason Ashley was 99 years old yesterday, Feb. 28.  Now let our exchanges remember that Grandfather Ashley lives on the borders of Eden in the town of Hope, and is also one of the few very old men of La Salle county.  He is also one of the early settlers in these parts.  His neighbors now confidently look for him to become a centenarian.

    This Article was taken from the Tonica News dated April 26, 1895

    (From the Grange News, Apr. 5)

Jason Ashley, father-in-law, of our Sister V.S. Ashley, passed his 99th birthday in February, and is now in his 100th year.  And what is remarkable he has never been sick, he has had his pantaloons on every day (for 95 Years just think of it up and dressed every day since the people quit using pounds, shillings, and pence.)  Indeed, he was born in 1796, before the people had dropped the use of sterling money, before the birth of the U.S, dollar; as old as the stars and stripes.  Twenty-eight states have been added in his life time.  When he was a year old nails were made singly and by hand.

  In 1790 the first little steam propeller was made.  First cast iron plow was made when he was but two years old, but the farmers would not use them; they said they "poisoned the soil."  "Hail Columbia," first national song, was written when he was three years old.  The first braided straw bonnet was made when he was four years old.  He was five years old when Patrick Henry died; the same when George Washington died, and if he had seen him might have remembered him.  He was five yeas old before anyone in this country was vaccinated.  He was seven years old when Ohio was admitted as a state.  He was nine years old when the government built Fort Dearborn (Chicago) as an Indian outpost.  He was 11 years old before cotton was first planted in the United States.  He was 13 years old before stone coal was used as a fuel.  He was 17 years old, almost old enough to enlist, when Jackson fought the British at New Orleans.  He was 45 years old before reaping machines were used; 55 years old before the telegraph was a success.  What remarkable years the 100 years of his life have been.

  Sister Ashley says he was always temperate in everything, a teetotaler as far as liquor and tobacco were concerned, a small and slow eater, and satisfied and contented at all times.  He was born in East Barnard, Vermont, and came to Illinois in an early day. (note by author--Jason moved his family to Illinois in 1839.  Jason was born in Barnard, VT on Feb 28, 1796.  He died shortly after his 100th birthday but I do not have the exact date.)         H.K.S.