Illustrated Atlas Map of Mason
County, published by W R Brink & Co, 1874
Page 31
Mr. Ashurst is
the son of Nelson and Jemima Ashurst, and was born March 15, 1838, in Mason
county, Illinois, and has lived all his life almost in sight of his native home,
about five miles southeast of Bath, in Bath township. February 12, 1857, he
married Miss Amanda C., daughter of Laban and Elizabeth K. Blunt, old settlers
of Mason county. Mr. Ashurst was raised on the farm, but when about nineteen
years old bought a few blacksmith tools for the purpose of doing his own
repairing, and from this beginning unintentionally, but gradually, merged
himself into an "artificer of iron and steel," till the business was learned and
mastered. Determining afterwards to make this trade his business he sold off his
farm and bought a five acre tract in section 36 of his township, on which he has
erected a good dwelling house, tine shop and manufacturing establishment. This
location is just a little back of the bluffs of the Sangamon river, on the east
line of township 20 north, 9 west, and about three miles southwest of the town
of Kilbourne. Here is the only place where the celebrated "Succor" drill is
manufactured, currently also known as the "Ashurst Drill", undoubtedly the best
and most accurate wheat drill ever brought before the public. This drill was
originally invented by Robert Blunt, deceased, with the assistance and counsel
of Mr. Ashurst, some seventeen years ago. After Mr. Blunt's death it was
improved by George Blunt, Robert Blunt's eldest son, with the assistance of his
uncle, Hiram Blunt, and was at first patented in the name of Hiram Blunt and
Mary J. Blunt, the widow of Robert, though George was the chief mover. With the
assistance again of Mr. Ashurst, George made an additional improvement, which
was patented in their respective names; which brings the drill up to its present
perfection as manufactured by Mr. Ashurst. Fifty of these machines have been
sold this season in different parts of the state, and use has settled the fact
that more wheat can be raised per acre from the sowing with this drill than any
other now in use. The crop is also sure, owing to the superior manner in which
the seed is deposited. As it has runners instead of the ordinary fluke, the most
trashy ground is worked as easily as where it is perfectly clean. Mr. Ashurst is
now engaged in enlarging and increasing his manufacturing facilities, so as to
be ready to meet the increasing demand for this deservedly popular drill.
Heretofore it has been sold at cost, but in the future it will be sold at such a
price as to justify its manufacture.
Mr. Ashurst's father, Nelson R. Ashurst, was born in the State of Tennessee,
in the year 1800. He was raised to manhood in his native state, where he also
was married, and where also he had two children born, viz: James W. and
Elizabeth J. This son died in Mason county and the daughter, now the wife of
Dryden Godbey, resides in Bath township of this county. Mr. Ashurst came to
Illinois in 1832, and settled in the northwest corner of Menard county, where he
remained a short time, after which he moved into Mason, where he lived till
1850, dying in July of that year. He was a farmer and stock dealer, and attained
to an independence before his death. He and his wife were both members of the
Baptist church, and were charter members in the organization of the Mount Zion
Baptist Church, the first organized (in 1842) body of its kind in Mason county.
One son, Esquire, was born to them in Menard county, and four additional
children in Mason county, viz: John L., Francis M., Louis B. and Nancy G., who
married Daniel B. Bearden. Francis and Louis were in the Union army during the
late civil war, where the former fell on the altar of his country. The surviving
children all reside in Mason county, honorable and industrious citizens.
Mr. Ashurst and wife are members of the Mount Zion Baptist Church.
Politically, he early imbibed Republican principles, and during the war was a
strong Union man, and is yet firm for the maintenance of the integrity of the
Union and the universal freedom of every class of citizens.
Maintained by Mason County Coordinator
Donna Mayer