Hopkins Co., TX - Obit - Charles Franklin Ashcroft 1946 ***************************************************** This file was contributed for use in the USGenWeb by: June E. Tuck USGenWeb Archives. Copyright. All rights reserved http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm ***************************************************** From the files of June Tuck ASHCROFT, CHARLES FRANKLIN - Sulphur Springs' most widely-known and esteemed native citizen, died Sunday, July 28, 1946, at Los Angeles, California, where he and his wife had been spending their summer vacation. He suffered a heart attack as he arose from bed and dropped over dead. He had been ill for two days and had called in a physician who advised him to rest and remain abed except for meals. He was a member of one of East Texas' most prominent early- day families and for many years a leader in banking, bottling, oil and investment businesses here and over this section of the state. He was past president of the Texas Society for Crippled Children and devoted much time to this work. A frail man early in life, he was never really robust, but he was energetic and enjoyed contributing to the happiness of others. With him at the time of his death was his wife. A neice, little Miss Ruth Berry Ashcroft, accompanied the Ashcrofts to California. Also in California were his sister, Miss Ina Ashcroft, and Mrs. Carl Stirling and Mrs. Ada Cain of Sulphur Springs. His son, B. F. Ashcroft, and a nephew, Enos L. Ashcroft Jr., flew to Los Angeles after hearing of his death. Mr. Ashcroft was born February 12, 1880, the son of B.F. & Lyda Higgins Ashcroft in Sulphur Springs. He was educated in local public schools and later took a business course. For a short time he was a court reporter at Greenville and then returned home to become bookkeeper of his father's electric power plant. He was married to Miss Ruth Lynch at Lufkin on October 11, 1917. Their union was blessed with one son, B. F. Ashcroft. Following the sale of the Ashcroft Electric Power Company to Texas Power & Light Company in 1928, Mr. Ashcroft continued to expand his business interest. He became a director and vice-president of the Sulphur Springs State Bank, co-owner of the Sulphur Springs Coca Cola Bottling Company with H. C. McGrede, and engaged in the oil business in the Hawkins field. He also was a director of the Sulphur Springs Loan and Building Association. A truly great civic leader, he was connected with practically every worthwhile project ever undertaken in his home town. He was president of the Sulphur Springs School Board and guided it successfully during the dark days of the depression when many schools were forced to close because they were unable to pay teachers. At one time he borrowed money on his personal note to pay the teachers here. For more than 40 years he was a member of the Board if Stewards of the First Methodist Church. At the time of his death he was Sulphur Springs' District Chairman of the Golden Cross for the Methodist Church, a member of the Board of Trustees of the Methodist Hospital, and a district steward in the Methodist Church. He was past president of the Texas Society for Crippled Children, past president of East Texas Chamber of Commerce, past District Governor of Rotary District 128. Also past president of Sulphur Springs Rotary Club, a past Noble Grand of the I.O.O.F. and Master Mason. He had served as president of the Chamber of Commerce on more than one occasion. He was serving as a member of the board of regents of Texas State College for Women, Denton, at the time of his death. He directed the various bond drives during the war. He always aided with Red Cross, Community Chest, U.S.O., and other fund-raising drives to help his fellow-man. Immediate survivors include his wife, a son, a brother, Enos L. Ashcroft, and a sister, Miss Ina Ashcroft, all of Sulphur Springs, two brothers, Rodney and Raymond, died a number of years ago. The body arrived via plane at Dallas and was brought to Sulphur Springs by Tapp Funeral Home attendants. Final rites were conducted at the First Methodist Church, conducted by Rev. J. Daniel Barron, assisted by Rev. Henry Mood of Bonham and Dr. Claud M. Simpson, district superintendent. (Buried in Sulphur Springs City Cemetery)