Slone, Asa

BIOGRAPHIES
HISTORY OF GREENE & JERSEY COUNTIES, ILLINOIS - 1885

Springfield, Ill.: Continental Historical Co.




Page 942

The building on the fine Poor farm of Greene county, was erected in the fall of 1870, and is a large, three-story brick building, with a commodious basement under the entire edifice. Joseph C. brown was the first superintendent of the place, and remained in charge for two years. He was succeeded by ASA SLONE, who has remained in that capacity ever since. During the last seven or eight years, the average number of inmates has been about 30. The farm embraces 160 acres of excellent land, on section 7, most of which is nicely improved. When Mr. Slone took charge, the farm was nearly all covered with timber of a young growth, with the exception of about 30 acres, but at present there can be seen marked improvement in every respect. In the building there are nine rooms in the basement, which includes dining room, kitchen, flour room, etc. On the next floor are 12 rooms, seven of which are bed rooms for male paupers. The balance of the apartments on this floor are used by Mr. Slone and family, as sitting rooms and parlors. In the second story there are eight rooms, one of which is quite large, originally intended for a chapel, but has never been put to that use, but is put into requisition as a general work room. The rest of the rooms on this floor are used as sleeping apartments by the inmates. In the third story there are three dormitories for the women inmates, not otherwise provided for. This makes a total of 32 rooms, besides several halls running through the different parts of the house. It is well appointed throughout, and is decidedly to the credit of Greene county, and an honor to Mr. Slone and his esteemed wife for the able manner in which it is managed.

ASA SLONE, superintendent of the poor farm was born in Chatham county, N.C., Oct. 17, 1825. He is a son of Mathew and Chloe (Hughes) Slone, also natives of the above state. In 1833 they came to Greene county, Ill., settling in the town of Carrollton, where they resided some seven or eight years, when they removed to Macoupin county, and spent the remainder of their lives there. His father died Aug. 10, 1843, and his mother Aug. 19, 1868, at the home of her son in Carrollton. Asa, the subject of this sketch, is the youngest and only one living of a family of four children, those deceased being - Nancy, Martha and David. He removed with his parents to Macoupin county, where he resided some eight months, when he returned to Carrollton and began to learn the trade of blacksmithing, which he afterwards followed for many years. When the Mexican war broke out, he enlisted in Co. C, 1st Ill. Inf., and took part in the battle of Buena Vista, besides being in several skirmishes. He was mustered out in the latter part of June, 1847, at Camargo, Mex., and returned to Carrollton, where he resided until taking charge of the county poor farm, in March, 1873. It is unnecessary to extol the merits of Mr. Slone in this capacity, as the length of time he has already served will prove his ability for the position, and the satisfactory manner in which he conducts the business. He was married July 6, 1848, to Ann M. Colwell. By this marriage there were seven children, six of whom are living - Margaret V., deceased; William M., Samuel T., Robert A., John C., Mary C. and Maud A. Mr. Slone's political views are democratic.


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