The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1912-02-02
SUDDEN DEATH or GEO q ASH.
Mas State auditor And Owner
And Editor OF The Cecil
Democrat.

Democrat.
Col. George r. Ash. State Auditor and
owner and editor Of the Cecil Democrat,
died at his home. Holly Hall, near Elkton.
about o'clock Thursday morning. Jan.
rs, frcm acute indigestion, aged 81 years.
Mr.. Ash had not been well for some
weeks, bur was able to look, after his
business interests. and Wednesday morn
ing went to Annapolis and Baltimore.
where he spent the day returning to his
home in the evening Later in the even
ing. in company with Mrs. Ash. he at
tended an evening company at the resi-
dence Of Mr.. R. G. Thackery, in Elkton,
and appeared in fine spirits. Arriving at
his home shortly before midnight. be was
attacked by indigestion and died before a
physician could reach him.
His sudden death was great shock to
the community, where he was held in the
highest esteem. being prominently identi-
fed for years past with Elkfon and Cecil
county.
Colonel Ash was son Of the late
Jacob and Emily Howard Ash and was
born in Elkton March III. 1867 His
early education was received at Elkton
Academy, but at the age Of IA he left
school and for some time was employed
by his farther in the agricultural imple-
ment business He afterward was em-
ployed in the Office of the County Com.
missioners and in 1884 was appointed
deputy register Of wills BY Reuben E.
lamar, Register, which position be con-
tinued to hold until 1890, when. in COM
pany with several others. he formed a
stock company and purchased from the
late George w. Cruikshank the property
Of the Cecil Democrat.
The late Senator John S.. Writ was
elected president of the company and Mr..
Ash was made editor and manager.
Several years afterward Mr.. Ash pur-
chased the interests -of the other stock
holders and became the sole owner and
editor Of the paper, which is one of the
oldest weekly newspaper on the Eastern
Shore.
His ability as journalist was recog-
nized throughout the State. He was ap-
pointed to the Office of School Commits
sioner by Cow Frank Brown. which posi-
ton he held for several years. During
the administration of Gov. John Walter
Smith the position OF State Auditor was
created and Mr.. Ash was appointed and
continued as head Of that department up
to the time of his death, Only Wednes-
day, while in Baltimore and Annapolis,
he was assured Of his reappointment by
the Board OF Public Works.
In politics Mr.. Ash was an uncompro-
missing Democrat and for many years
took an active part in the affairs Of his
party. and last summer led the fight for
Senator Arthur P. German in Cecil
county.
At one time he was prominently identi-
fed with military affairs in the State, be-
ing a member of the Third Battalion.
Eastern Shore of Maryland. in which he
was first sergeant. second lieutenant and
afterward adjutant, with the rank Of
captain.
Mr.. Ash married Miss Eloise Walms-
icy, who, with one son, Reynold Ash.
aged 8 years. survives him. He is also
survived by three sisters, Misses Helen,
Mary and Flora Ash. of EIkton.
The funeral was held on Sunday after
noon and was largely attended. Services
were conducted by Rev. VIM. Schouler.
rector Of Trinity Protestant Episcopal
Church. Manley Drennen, William H.
Mackall, Malcolm R. Gilpin, Thomas B.
Miller, Frank K. Denny, Henry H. Nit
chell, Oliver c. Giles and DR.. H. Arthur
Mitchell acted as pallbearers. Interment
was made in Elkton Cemetery.