SAMUEL L. ASBURY |
Samuel L. Asbury, county surveyor of St. Francois
County and son of William M. and Susan L. (Marks) Asbury, was born in Benton County,
Miss., in 1838. His father was born in Lincoln County, N.C. in 1810, and was of English
descent. He moved from North Carolina, in 1829 to Giles County, Tenn., where he learned
the carpenter's trade. He married and went to Benton County, Miss., in 1835, and was judge
of that county for fourteen years. He was killed by Federal troops in 1864. His wife was
born in Giles County, Tenn., in 1809, and was the daughter of Samuel Marks, who was a
Virginian and of Scottish descent. Mrs. Asbury is still living, and is with her son Samuel
L. She came to Missouri in 1872, and is the mother of two children, Samuel L. and Martha
L. (wife of F. Yancy of St. Louis County). Samuel L. Asbury was educated at Holly Springs,
Miss., and at the age of nineteen began teaching school, and followed this occupation in
Mississippi. In 1858 he married Miss Bettie Gray, a native of Benton County, Miss., born
in 1841, and to them were born two children: Anna E. (widow of Francis Aubuchon), and
William G. Mrs. Asbury died in 1862 and in 1868, Mr. Asbury married Miss Julia M. Pipkin,
who was a native of Jefferson County, Mo., and who bore him four children: Julia L., Susan
M., Sallie D., and Maud. Mrs. Asubry died in 1878, and in 1879 Mr. Asbury took for his
third wife Miss Ellen N. Prichard, a native of St. Francois County, born in 1852, and who
became the mother of two children, Mary E. and Emmet F. October 27, 1861, Mr. Asbury
enlisted in Company F, Forty-fifth Mississippi Infantry, and was in the battle of Shiloh,
Perryville, Stone River and numerous minor engagements. He was wounded in the left ankle
at the battle of Stone River and was disabled for eighteen months. The ball is in his
ankle at present. After the war he resumed teaching, and in 1867 came to Missouri and
began teaching in Franklin County, but one year later came to St. Francois County and
taught nearly every winter season until 1883. He taught ten years in the public schools of
St. Francois County, and is an able instructor. In 1872 he was elected county surveyor and
served in that capacity four years. In 1884 he was again elected and has given excellent
satisfaction. He is a stanch Democrat in his political views, is a member of the A.O.U.W.,
being recorder of the same, and he and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church
South. GOODSPEEDS HISTORY OF SOUTHEAST MISSOURI, Goodspeed Publishing Co., 1888, page 620. |