Sequachee Valley news. (Sequachee [Sequatchie], Tenn.) 1896-1952, 1900-02-22
OBITUARY..

Ashley Laurence Spears was born in
| Blcdsoe county, Tenn, March 2S, 1912.
and died 1T bis home in Jasper, Tenn,
Feb. IL, 1900, aged 81 years 10 months
and II days, after an illness Of three
weeks.
He was the son of Brigadier General
James G. Spears, who commanded the
| lst Brigade lat Div. l4th Army Corps in
the Federal Army, and enlisted in Co.
| +. 5th Regt. Tenn. Infantry Feb 25,
1862. On March 28, 1862, he was promo
ted to lat Lieutenant and commissioned
as Adjutant of the regiment, in which
| ca pacity he served until his disch arRe,
May is, 1865, having served 8 years 2
mouths and lS days. His regiment was
part OF the brigade commanded by his
IA her in the first year of Col. Spears
service, and he was slightly wounded
at the battle OF Resara, Ga,
No botter endorsement can be given
of any military service than that given
OF him by Hon. VIM. Rule, who was ad-
jutant of 9th Regiment and attached
to same brigade, who says: "As an Of
ticer, Adjutant Spears was brave, eau
tious popular and efficient. All his in
stincts were those of gentleman.
Returning TO his home at Pikeville
after his discharge, he was appointed
clerk OF tho county court Of Bled-
soc county, and afterwards elected
clerk Of the circuit court and during
his term Of Office completed his legal
studies and was admitted to the bar in
1872 at Pieeville. In 1869 and 1871 he
was elected to the Legislature repre-
senting Bledsoe, Rhea, Sequatchio and
Hamilton counties. In 1874 he, with
bis family, removed to Jasper, residing
there ever since. In 1873 be was elect
ed attorney general of the Fourth Ju-
dicial District and served eight years,
and since 1890 has been President of the
First National Bank, OF South Pitts
burg and has prosecuted successful
legal business, lately continued under
the style of Spears & Robertson.
April 8, 1873 he married Miss Matte
j. Pitts, and to them were born three
children: Nellie Pitts. married to Hon,
Will D. Wright U. S. Dist. Attorney,
of Knoxville, Grace R., and Alvin
L., who reside at home. Mrs. Spears
died at Jasper, Nov. 90, 1895. He con-
tractcd second marriage Dec. 2S, 1897
with Miss Willie Cummins, OF franklin
! County. this state, and she, with the
children of his first marriage survive
him. He also leaves sister, Mrs,
James Robertson of Sequachee, and
four brothers, Col. w. D. Spears, of
Jasper, N. B. Spears OF Pell City, Ala,
]. b. Spears, of Pikaville, and James
| e. Spears, OF Gainesville, Texas.
lie was identified with the M. E.
Church, s puth, and served several times
as lay delegate to the Holston Confer
ence OF that body. When the Pryor
Institute was erected under the auspic-
es Of that Church he was one OF the
| largest contributors.
He was a mamber OF Olive Branch
Lodge No 297, F. g. A. NJ, of Jasper,
| and charter membar and second Com
mander OF Post SO, G. A. R., which bears
| the name of his father.
The funeral took place Thursday and
the Methodist Church South, at Jasper,
WAS thronged with sympathizing
friends and business acquaintances.
! Thr services were conducted by Rev. R.
A. Hutsell, assisted by Revs. ]. w. Rob-
ertAon, S. S. Catron and J. A. Darr, and
in tho short addresses presented eulo-
! CYSTIC reference was made to the de-
| ceased and sympathy rendered the be.
roaved widow and children.
The interment was made at Rosewood
! Cemetery beside the remains OF his
first wife. A large attendance was alsc
present here, and the Grand Army Post
and Masons were both represented
The commitment service Of she Metho
dist Church, South, was read by Rev
R. A. Hutsell, and burial was made.
Identified largely with the business
interests OF Marion County. and posses
sing an influence second to none, 1t car
be truly aad that his death ia deeply
regretted, and the good he did will live
after him.