JOHN ASHURST
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.

1874 Atlas Index

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