Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1879-11-18
[From the Muscatine Qowa) Daily Journal
Death of Hon. j. p. Ament.

"Unveil thy bosom faithful tomb;
Take this new treasure to thy trust.
And give these sacred relics room
Is To sIumber in the sacred DUST"
The papers had prepared the public mind to
| receive the sad Intelligence which we to-day re-
| cOrd-the death of ex-Mayor Ament, which
took place yesterday, just before noon. During
most of the past summer Mr. Ament had been
unwell. suffering chiefly. from dyspepsia: =
About a month ago he madea trip OF Two weeks
| to st. Louis and Van Buren,, Arkansas, during
| which he contracted a fever and dlarrhoea. fol-
lowed by bloody fiux, causing his death. He
met the grim monster with phflosophic and
| Christian resignation, saying ne was ready ana
willing to go, and that his only desire to live
was to rear and educate his family OF mother
Joseph Pettis Ament was born in Nashville,
Tenn, Oct. 20, 1924. At the age of Is he removed
| TO Palmyra, Mo-, where he became an appren-
| tice in printing office Being great reader
able as youth of unusual 1nfOrmat1o and
good judgment. At the age of eighteen he be-
OF tine spna
cess five years. He then sought wider neld,
purchasing the Hannibal Gazette and changing
| Its title to that of Courier, which he published
ceiver of the land Office at Palmyra, which pO-
sition he held till 1858. when he was chosen
member of the Legislature from Marion coun-
| ty. In 1860 he returned to newspaper life, pur-
chasing the Hannibal Daily Gazette, which he
conducted with marked skill during the excl
porting the candidacy Of Stephen A. Douglas
| for the Presidency. Being reelected to heLeg
| islature, he was prominent candidate for the
| Speakership of the House, which he missed by
d few votes, but being chosen State Printer. he
resigned his seat in the Legislature in Februa-
| ry of that year-not, however. before placing
himself on record by speech and votes in oppo-
sition to secession. He continued to discharge
the duties of State Printer till May, 1864, being
| in the meantime interested in the publication
of the Jefferson Examiner, then the leading pa
per at the capital. Having sold out his inter-
est to his successor in the office of State printer
he removed with his family in the summer OF
1854 to this city, where he purchased half an in
terest in the extensive manufacturing estab-
lishment of his brother, VIM. D. Ament, which
firm name of Ament & Bro. till 1877 when the
partnership was dissolved, the business being
continued by his brother.
Having evinced an interest in public affairs,
and commencing himself to public favor by
his good sense and practical wisdom, the sub
| ject of this sketch WIS In 1872 chosen Mayor Of
the city on the union ticket. He was re-elect-
ed in 1873, and then after two years retirement
was for the third time called to the helm of our
city government in ls7e It " was e during this
an adjustment of our city debt and 20 the ad-
vaneement of series of public improvements,
including the water works, which marked the
dawning of an era of prosperity that has since
put Muscatine in the vanguard of the live and
growing cities of the State. He was also promt-
nent in the organization Of the Building Assoc
ciatiOn in which he was Director at the time
of his death. MIR. Ament's name has been
warmly urged on several occasion as 3 candi-
nents conceded that he had the taiaAt and ex-
perience in public life to ftth1m for go high and
honorable a. Position. He was also q distin-
guished member Of the Masonic fraternity,
having filled prominent positions in all its or
CARNATIONS from the lodge to the commandery.
In all the relations which he sustained to his
fellow citizens, his course has been quiet and
unobtrusive and the public honors bestowed
upon him and the trusts repOsed in him were
well earned by his steady and determined pur-
pose to discharge the duties OF every position
he was called to oil to the full measure of his
abilities and with fidelity. q ~. an :"
He was brought UP under Methodist influ-
ence but for number Of years had been a
member and officer Of the Episcopal Church.
friend, warm-hearted and unwavering. His |
manner towards his fellow-citizens generally |
was dignified yet courteous and polite. He had |
warm and true friends in all ranks Of life. and |
well deserved them.
Mr.. Ament was married in 1849 to Miss Sarah |
J. Ruff, native of Virginia, whG died in this |
city in 1869, leaving thrSe ebtlafsn: Judith D. I
nov MRS u. T. Davidson, } Mary and Maggie B. |
In September, 1868, he married Miss Kate A.
Robbins. of1oWa City, who died In 1876. leaving |
tour children. who survive: Charles H., George |
H., Irene d. and Cecil H. Mr.. Ament had |
life insurance of s., 900 in the N. Y. Mutual for
the benefit of the three first named of his chill |
dren. and IS 600 in the Centennial, of Burling- J
ton, for the benefit of the others-all Q, Whicn /
wi n dnj7ht ho GYaiIacia " ~ XII 81 WIZ