DEATH AT BRYANT Edward Ashton, One of Oldest and Most Honored Citizens of Fulton County Long and Useful Life Born Eighty-five Years Ago in Ohio--Nearly Three Score Years Since He Settled in Buckheart Township--Sterling Qualities of Character--Six of His Sons and Daughters Survive Him--Death on Tuesday, September 23, 1902. Edward Ashton, one of Fulton county’s old and honored citizens, died at his home near Bryant at 5 o’clock Tuesday morning. The infirmities of old age had weighed heavily upon him of recent years and his death is not a suprise though it brings profound sorrow to his family, to his hundreds of friends, and to the entire community. His death occurred at the old Ashton homestead, widely famous for its old-time, open-handed hospitality and good cheer. In the home which he had made, which birth and wedding and death had hallowed and made sacred, the end came, peacefully, without pain, and he breathed his last as one who “wraps the draperies of his couch about him and lies down to pleasant dreams.” His has been a long life, full of endeavor and crowned with success. It has not all been sunshine, but the clouds have been lined with silver, where with wife and children, he has lived for more than half a century. One by one there have been vacant chairs at the fireside. Some are married, some are dead. Through the long years his upright, manly character, steadfast friendship, generosity and kindliness, have won him the respect and love of all. Edward Ashton was the son of William J. and Eleanor (Smith) Ashton. He was born at Williamburg, Ohio, March 9, 1817. He grew to manhood in the Buckeye state and in 1844 severed the home ties of boyhood and young manhood and came to Illinois, settling in Fulton county October 1 of that year. April 10 of the following year he was married to Rebecca Snow Conner, daughter of John and Mary (Denny) Conner, and they began life together on the homestead where he has since lived, one mile east of Bryant. Nine children were born to them, six of whom survive. They are John W. Ashton of La Porte, Texas; L. D. Ashton of Burbank, Calif.; Frank M. Ashton, residing near Farmington, Ill.; Mrs. Sarah Carter; Mrs. Florence Harrison; and Mrs. Ida Moran, who live in or near Bryant. His wife died Dec. 6, 1897. He has been a prominent member of the Methodist church for many years. In politics he has always been a strong Republican. The funeral took place from the Methodist church at Bryant at 1 o’clock p.m. Wednesday, the obsequies being conducted by the Rev B. F. Eckley, of Farmington. --------------------------------------------------------------------- UGENWEB NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by other organizations or persons. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material, must obtain the written consent of the contributor, or the legal representative of the submitter, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Shera Thompson A 2nd great granddaughter