Alfred L. Ashurst

John married Alice Bertha Jones on 5 Jun 1889 in Mariposa County, California, USA. Alice (daughter of Thomas J. Jones and Cleopatra Walker) was born on 15 Jul 1873 in Kansas, USA; died on 5 Mar 1949 in Stanislaus County, California, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events:

• Parents:

  Death index states father's surname "Jones," mother's surname "Walker." Also, first marriage (Ashurst), 1889, names her father as "Thos. J. Jones."

• Census: Jun 1900, No. 5 township, Mariposa County, California, USA;

  1. Ashurst, John G., head, white, male, July 1863, 36, married 11 years, California, Kentucky, Illinois, farmer, can read and write, owns farm free of mortgage, farm schedule no. 128 2. _____, Alice B., wife, white, female, April 1874, 26, married 11 years, California, Kentucky, Illinois, [blank data for reading and writing] 3. _____, Chester A., son, white, male, May 1890, 10, California, California, California, attended school 9 months, can read and write 4. _____, Alice B. M., daughter, white, female, November 1895, 4, California, California, California [living next door to her parents Thomas J. Jones and Cleopatra Walker]

• Census: 3 May 1910, Modesto, Modesto township, Stanislaus County, California, USA;

  1. Ashurst, John G., head, male, white, 51, first marriage, married 21 years, California, Kentucky, Missouri, laborer, water marina, can read and write, owns farm without mortgage 2. _____, Alice B., wife, female, white, 36, first marriage, married 21 years, 3 children all living, Kansas, Kentucky, Illinois 3. _____, Bertha, daughter, female, white, 14, California, California, Kansas, can read and write, attending school 4. _____, Alfred L., son, male, white, 8, California, California, Kansas, can read and write, attending school

• Residence: Jul 1918, Le Grand, Merced County, California, USA;

  Her father's obituary named her as "Mrs. C. M. Smith" of LeGrand.

Thomas married Cleopatra Walker on 23 Jun 1858 in Madison County, Illinois, USA. Cleopatra (daughter of Elijah Walker and Charity Dove) was born in Jun 1840 in Macoupin County, Illinois, USA; died on 4 Jun 1912; was buried in White Rock Cemetery, Mariposa County, California, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events:

• Census: 3 Aug 1860, Lambs Point, Township 6 Range 7, Madison County, Illinois, USA;

  1. Jones, Thomas, 32, male, [occupation not stated], real estate $230, personal $380, Kentucky 2. _____, Cleoprata [Cleopatra], 20, female, Illinois 3. _____, Josaphine, 1, female, Illinois 4. _____, [Ewilda? Emilda?], 1 month, Illinois

• Migration: 1868, Cherokee County, Kansas, USA;

  Thomas and Cleopatra moved from Madison County, Illinois, to Cherokee County, Kansas.

• Note: 1868, Cherokee County, Kansas, USA;

  A revival meeting was held in the local school and Cleopatra's husband, who had been a farmer, felt "an urgent call to preach the gospel." He became a Methodist Episcopal minister.

• Census: 20 Aug 1870, Neosho township, Cherokee County, Kansas, USA;

  1. Jones, Thomas J., 42, male, white, farmer, real estate $1200, personal $600, Kentucky 2. _____, Cleopatra, 30, female, white, keeping house, Illinois 3. _____, Josephine, 10, female, white, Illinois, attending school 4. _____, Amanda [V.?], 4, female, white, Illinois

• State Census: 1875, Neosho township, Cherokee County, Kansas, USA;

  1. Jones, T. J., 47, male, white, farmer, real estate $200, personal $140, born in Kentucky, moved from Illinois 2. _____, C., 34, female, white, born in Illinois, moved from Illinois 3. _____, J. F., 15, female, white, born in Illinois, moved from Illinois, attending school 4. _____, A. B., 1, female, white, born in Kansas

• Census: 12 Jun 1880, Cheyenne, Laramie County, Wyoming Territory, USA;

  1. Jones, T. J., white, male, 52, married, farmer, Kentucky, Kentucky, Kentucky 2. _____, Theo [Cleopatra], white, female, 40, wife, married, keeping house, Illinois, Virginia, Virginia 3. _____, Josephine, white, female, 21, daughter, single, at home, Illinois, Kentucky, Illinois 4. _____, Bertha, white, female, 7, daughter, Kansas, Kentucky, Illinois 5. _____, Maggie, white, female, 5, daughter, Kansas, Kentucky, Illinois

• Migration: After June 1880, Sacramento County, California, USA;

  The family was enumerated in Cheyenne, Wyoming, in June 1880, but Thomas J. Jones's obituary states that the family moved to California, near Sacramento, in 1880. They may have moved after their enumeration, or the year may not be correct.

• Migration: 1886, Whiterock, Mariposa County, California, USA;

  The Jones family moved from the Sacramento area to Whiterock where he was a stock rancher as well as preaching the gospel.

• Census: Jun 1900, Township 5, Mariposa County, California, USA;

  1. Jones, Thomas J., head, white, male, born May 1828, 72, married 42 years, Kentucky, United States, Tennessee, farmer, can read and write, owns farm free of mortgage, farm schedule no. 127 2. _____, Cleopatra, wife, white, female, June 1840, 59, married 42 years, 8 children 4 living, Illinois, Illinois, Virginia, can read and write 3. _____, Josephine [T.? F.], daughter, white, female, May 1859, 41, single, Illinois, Kentucky, Illinois, school teacher, can read and write 4. _____, Thomas J., son, white, male, March 1882, 18, single, California, Kentucky, Illinois, can read and write 5. Ashurst, Josephine M., granddaughter, white, female, July 1894, 6, California, California, California

• Newspaper Article: 21 May 1904, Mariposa County, California, USA;

  Josephine Frances Jones Wedding May 21, 1904, Mariposa (California) Gazette Wedding at Whiterock. On May 11th, at the home of the bride's parents, Miss Josephine Frances JONES and Charles Martin SMITH were united in the holy bonds of wedlock by Rev. W. D. HAUKINGS of Plainsburg. The wedding took place on the spacious porch among the friends and relatives of the parties. The bride wore a suit of white silk. After congratulations, dinner was served. A long table was filled to overflowing with good things to eat and each of the young folks carried home a piece of wedding cake to dream over. The groom is a son of A. C. SMITH and is a sober, industrious young man. The bride has just closed a successful term of school here, and has taught in Sacramento, Placer, San Benito, Madera, Monterey and San Louis Obispo counties. The guest present were A. C. SMITH, Mr. and Mrs. J. H. BAIN, Mr. and Mrs. DEATSCH, Mr. and Mrs. HARLES, Mr. and Mrs. T. J. JONES Jr., Miss Myrtle HELM, Mrs. H. D. ASHURST, Chester ASHURST, Josie May ASHURST, Bertie May ASHURST, Oriole HELM, Alfred ASHURST. Some of the invited guests were unavoidably absent. Everyone had a merry time. There were several nice presents. The newly wedded couple went to house keeping at once. We wish them a happy journey through life. A. Friend.

• Obituary: 13 Jul 1918, Mariposa County, Callifornia, USA;

  Obituary of Thomas J. Jones, husband of Cleopatra Walker, Mariposa (California) Gazette, 13 July 1918 THOMAS JEFFERSON JONES PASSES AWAY IN MODESTO Rev. Thomas J. JONES was born in Hopkinsville, Christian county, Kentucky, on May 13, 1828; died in Modesto, California, June 28, 1918, being 90 years 1 month and 15 days of age. At the age of 18 years he was converted and joined the Methodist church. When 23 years of age he went to Edwardsville, Illinois, and engaged in the carpenter trade. In 1853 he came to California, overland, spending six months on the way. During five years he mostly followed the fortunes of a gold prospector with varying success, then returned to Edwardsville, Ill., aboard ships by the Panama route. There he met Cleopatra WALKER, to whom he was married on June 23, 1858. In 1868 he moved his family to Cherokee county, Kansas, where he adopted the life of a pioneer farmer. The next year there was a revival meeting held in a little log school house, where he felt an urgent call to preach the gospel. He gave his life to the service, becoming a local preacher in the M. E. church. He traveled miles and miles on foot or horseback to preach to the settlers in their cabins or in the little school houses. In 1880 he moved his family overland to California, the land of his dreams. During the nest six years his home was near Sacramento. Then again in 1886 he moved to Whiterock, Mariposa county, where he engaged in stock ranching, continuing however, to preach wherever his services were needed. For many years he was Justice of the peace in the Whiterock district. He served the community faithfully as preacher, Sunday school superintendent or teacher, and as Judge of the Justice Court. He performed the marriage ceremony for many of the young people and conducted the funeral services of the greater part of those who were laid to rest in the Whiterock cemetery as it filled up year after year. In 1912 his faithful and loving companion was called home. Since then he made his home with his daughter in Modesto. From that time, on account of his increasing age, he ceased his ministerial labors, but was a faithful attendant upon Sunday school and church services up to the last Sunday of his life. On Tuesday, June 25th, the absent members of the family were called, and on the 28th he passed quietly away at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Bertha ASHURST. On Saturday afternoon Rev. PITMAN of the first Presbyterian church, conducted a very appropriated funeral service at the undertaking parlors of Wood and Shannon where a large number of his friends were present. On Sunday morning relatives arrived in LeGrand with the remains, and were joined by friends here who accompanied them to Whiterock cemetery, where they laid him to rest besides his beloved wife. A large number of his former neighbors were present. Rev. NEEDHAM of M. E. Church South conducted the services at the grave and the LeGrand choir rendered beautiful and appropriate music. He leaves to mourn his demise, four children: Mrs. C. M. SMITH of LeGrand; Mrs. Bertha ASHURST and Mrs. P. J. LEARY of Modesto, and Thomas J. JONES of Lewis. - Le Grand Advocate, July 5.

Notes:

Newspaper Article:

It is not clear how the bride in this article relates to the family of Thomas J. and Cleopatra (Walker) Jones. However, several things point to a relationship.

The bride's name, Josephine Jones, is the same as the daughter of Cleopatra (Walker) Jones. However, a check of California marriage records indicates that this Josephine Jones who married Charles M. Smith was only 21 years old.

Guests at the wedding were "Mr. and Mrs. T. J. Jones" (probably Thomas J. and Cleopatra), and also included people with the surname Ashurst, including a Josie M. Ashurst. Present in the 1900 Mariposa County census enumeration of Thomas J. and Cleopatra Jones was their granddaughter Josephine M. Ashurst.

Confusingly, Thomas J. Jones' 1918 obit refers to his daughter "Mrs. C. M. Smith" though his daughter Alice Bertha did not lose her Ashurst husband until 1919 and did not marry Charles Richard Smith until 1921.

I think the Josephine being married in this article is probably the Josephine who was named as granddaughter Josephine Ashurst, in their 1900 census home. Possibly they adopted their granddaughter? Her parents must have been the Alice Bertha (Jones) Ashurst and her husband, living next door in 1900.

Children: Josephine Jones was born about 1860 in Illinois, USA. Amanda V. Jones was born about 1866 in Illinois, USA; died before 1880?. 3. Alice Bertha Jones was born on 15 Jul 1873 in Kansas, USA; died on 5 Mar 1949 in Stanislaus County, California, USA. Maggie Jones was born about 1875 in Kansas, USA. Thomas J. Jones was born on 28 Mar 1882 in California, USA; died on 9 Oct 1969 in Mariposa County, California, USA.

Elijah married Charity Dove Charity was born in 1816-1817 in Virginia, USA; died about 1890 in Columbus, Cherokee County, Kansas, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events:

• Census: 20 Jan 1850, Township 6N Range 7W, Madison County, Illinois, USA;

  1. Walker, Elijah, [age illegible], farmer, Illinois, over 20 and cannot read or write 2. _____, Charity, 33, female, Virginia, cannot read or write 3. _____, Mary C., 13, female, Illinois, attending school 4. _____, Cleopatra, 10, female, Illinois, attending school 5. _____, J. R., 8, male, Illinois, attending school 6. _____, Lucilla [Lucetta?], 6, female, Illinois, attending school 7. _____, Zanetta Walker, 1, female, Illinois

• Census: 4 Jun 1880, Neosho township, Cherokee County, Kansas, USA;

  1. Walker, [F.?] Arcenich [Arcenith], white, male, 35, husband, married, farmer, Illinois, Illinois, Virginia 2. _____, A. Lucinda, white, female, 32, wife, married, keeping house, Illinois, Kentucky, Kentucky 3. _____, W. John, white, male, 14, son, farm labor, attending school, Illinois, Illinois 4. _____, L. Virginia, white, female, 13, daughter, at home, attending school, Michigan, Illinois, Illinois 5. _____, A. Edward, white, male, 11, son, at home, attending school, Illinois, Illinois, Illinois 6. _____ E. William, white, male, 9, son, at home, attending school, Illinois, Illinois, Illinois 7. _____, L. Stephen, white, male, 6, son, at home, Illinois, Illinois, Illinois 8. _____, A. Daniel, white, male, 5, son, at home, Illinois, Illinois, Illinois 9. _____, A. Frederick, white, male, 3, son, at home, Kansas, Illinois, Illinois 10. _____, Myrtle, white, female, 2 months, born in April, Kansas, Illinois, Illinois 11. _____, Charity, white, female, 64, mother, widowed, retired, Virginia, Virginia, Virginia

• State Census: 1885, Columbus (post office), Lyon township, Cherokee County, Kansas, USA;

  1. Walker, Charity, 68, female, white, widowed, retired, born Virginia, came to Kansas from Illinois 2. Williams, N. [Nettie], 28, female, white, widowed, hair dresser, born Illinois, came from Illinois

Notes:

Died:

The 1904 bio of her son Arcenith Walker states that she died at age 74.

Children: Mary Catherine Walker was born on 7 May 1837 in Illinois, USA; died on 7 Oct 1921 in Roodhouse, Greene County, Illinois, USA; was buried in White Hall Cemetery, White Hall, Greene County, Illinois, USA. 7. Cleopatra Walker was born in Jun 1840 in Macoupin County, Illinois, USA; died on 4 Jun 1912; was buried in White Rock Cemetery, Mariposa County, California, USA. John Riley Walker was born on 29 Jan 1842 in Macoupin County, Illinois, USA; died on 9 Jan 1913 in Wichita, Sedgwick County, Kansas, USA; was buried in Ruby Cemetery, Clearwater, Sedgwick County, Kansas, USA. Lucetta Walker was born about 1844 in Madison County, Illinois, USA; died on 21 Feb 1922; was buried in Newton Moore Cemetery, Faulkner, Cherokee County, Kansas USA. Arcenith Walker was born on 11 Jan 1845 in Madison County, Illinois, USA; died on 15 Oct 1916 in Cherokee County, Kansas, USA; was buried in Columbus City Cemetery, Columbus, Cherokee County, Kansas, USA. Zanetta Pearl Walker was born on 24 Sep 1849 in Macoupin County, Illinois, USA; died on 17 Nov 1938 in Columbus, Cherokee County, Kansas, USA; was buried in Fairview Cemetery, Melrose, Cherokee County, Kansas, USA.