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Rev. E.B. Ashurst was born near Saidora, Mason County, Illinois, December 15, 1856, and died at the home of his son in Havana, Illinois on Sunday, November 19th, 1922 at 3:00 o'clock p.m. Brother Ashurst was sixty-five years, eleven months and four days old.

He united with the Bethel Church by letter from the Snicarty Baptist Church Feb. 3, 1899, and later moved his membership to the Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church at Medora where he remained a faithful member until his death. He was ordained to the gospel minister Sept. 21, 1902.

Brother Ashurst was one of God's most faithful preachers. He believed in the old time religion. He preached the clean, pure gospel and practiced the same every day. Brother Ashurst was the instrument in God's hand in leading many, many souls to repent of their sins and accept Christ as their own personal Savior. Rev. Ashurst went to his churches and preached and baptized his candidates many times when he was sick and really should have been home in bed, but he felt the obligation of the divine call to go and tell sinners the gospel of salvation, so he was faithful to his calling and even preached the last Sunday night he was on earth and closed his service by having a hand shaking with his congregation at the dear old Bethel Church, where he was called to the ministry and which ordained him, and where he had been pastor for eighteen years before. Brother Ashurst had just been called back to the pastorate of Bethel church and went and preached one Sunday though he was sick at the time and took his bed the next day, Monday November 13th, and the following Sunday afternoon God said, "it is enough my faithful servant, come home and rest." Rev. Ashurst has gone to be with Jesus in that beautiful home above, and we will miss his face down here, but his influence will live on in the hearts and lives of others.

Rev. Ashurst's first wife, the mother of his children Mrs. Sarah Elizabeth Ashurst and seven children, Miss Polly Ashurst, Mrs. Laura Williamson, Lonia, Jennie, Minnie, John and Jessie had preceded him to the better world. He leaves to mourn his departure, his wife, Mrs. Martha Ashurst, one son, Logan Ashurst, one daughter, Mrs. H.D. Richards, three grandsons, Lloyd, Cecil and Albert Ashurst, two granddaughters, Mrs. Fred Tribble and Virginia Richards, and one great grand-daughter, Mildred Tribble, and one step-daughter Mrs. Leroy Carhridge, and a host of other relatives and friends.

No, he could not stay longer, but from us he did depart;
God knows the best always, though it nearly broke our heart.
He is in Heaven above us so high, with the angels he shall hove
With no sorrow or no pain to make him sigh, but with a watchful
Eye he is waiting for his love ones.
"Blessed are the dead that die in the Lord."
He is gone but not forgotten,
Never will his memory fade;
Sweetest thoughts will ever linger
Round the grave where he was laid.
It is sad to part with father,
And so sad to see him die;
But we trust some day to meet him
In that home beyond the sky.

Contributed by Herb Richards

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John N. Ashurst, deceased, was born near Clinch River, Anderson County, Tennessee, January 17, 1811, and died June 29, 1896, being 85 years, 5 months and 12 days of age. He was one of the oldest settlers in Mason County.

He made a trip in 1833 to Kentucky on a hunt for his brother, Elige Ashurst, on foot, upon which occasion, after finding him he immigrated to Illinois and landed in Mason County, where he made his residing place ever since, with the exception of two years where he had lived in Missouri. He returned to Mason County where he resided until he met his death, after living to a ripe old age.

The deceased was the father of 14 children, 7 boys and 7 girls, of which are living three girls and one boy. Their homes are as follows: Mrs. R.S. Hamilton of Cherokee Nation, Indian Territory, Mrs. Mary J. Huston, near Beardstown, Mrs. Rose A. Goben living near Saidora, and son E.B. Ashurst of Saidora, who are left to mourn the loss of the deceased.

He was at one time a member of the Mt. Zion Baptist Church in Mason County, but owing to some trouble that arose, his connection was severed from that body of people, however, he died in faith, saying he was ready to go.

The funeral was preached at the New Baptist Church, near Saidora, Elder J.M. Barrett officiating, after which the remains were laid to rest there.

Contributed by Herb Richards