The death of Rev. Hiram H. Ashmore at Peoria, Ill., November 5, 1908, removes another of the second generation of Cumberland Presbyterian ministers who toiled faithfully in the planting and up-building of the church in the state of Illinois.

Hiram H. Ashmore was born in Vigo County, Ind., April 10, 1829. His father, the Rev. James Ashmore, moved to Illinois and settled in Vermilion County in 1840. From that time until his death, Hiram H. was a resident of Illinois, and until his removal to Peoria a few years ago, except the ten years following 1864, he lived in Vermilion County. He was licensed to preach by the Presbytery of Foster of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church in 1853, and was ordained to the full work of the ministry by the same presbytery in 1856. He served the Ridge Farm congregation from 1856 until the breaking out of the war, when he enlisted as a private and was made commissary sergeant. In eleven months he was made chaplain of his regiment and served with conspicuous fidelity. It is said that more than a thousand soldiers professed religion under his preaching and that of those who were associated with him. He was with his regiment in seventeen important battles and in some 300 smaller engagements. He was captured at Chickamauga and sent to Libby prison, but after a week's preaching each alternate night, he was exchanged and joined his regiment at Mission Ridge. It it said he never allowed himself to be detailed away from his regiment, for he had promised the Georgetown boys he would "stick to them." At the close of the war he was regularly and honorably discharged.

On his return from the war he located at Ashmore, Ill., and preached to the Cumberland Presbyterian Church at that place, at St. Omer, and at Loxa. At the latter place he superintended and aided with his own hands the erection of the church building. He served the old Mt. Pisgah church from 1872 to 1876. This was a great honor since his father had organized this congregation and had served it for thirty years as its first pastor. About this time Mr. Ashmore moved to Fairmount, Ill., where he lived for a number of years and served a number of churches in Vermilion County. In 1881 he moved to Peoria, Ill., and on account of failure of voice, in 1888, he entered the railway mail service of the Government and continued till the change of administration in 1896. For a number of years before his death, though unable to preach, he continued to do active Christian work, especially in Y. M. C. A. circles, until his hearing became so impaired that he finally gave it up.

Mr. Ashmore was made a Mason at Georgetown, Ill., when he was quite a young man and was ever faithful to his vows as a member of the order. At the time of his death he was a member of Temple Lodge No. 46, A. F. and A. M. of Peoria, Ill. The members of his lodge did not forget him in the dark hours of his life but stood by him like true men. Specially appointed representatives of the lodgers accompanied his remains to Mattoon and joined with the local lodge in giving him a masonic burial. Mr. Ashmore was a member of Bryner Post No. 47 G. A. R. of Peoria. The Post held appropriate memorial services at the house on Friday afternoon, before the body was taken to Matton [sic] Saturday morning. The Rev. Dr. William Eugene Cadmus, pastor of the First Congregational Church, of Peoria, had a prominent part in those services.

Mr. Ashmore was united in marriage to Miss Caroline Shook near Ridge Farm, Ill., March 6, 1856. As a result of this union there were born five children, two of whom, Mr. Bruce J. Ashmore and Mrs. Lulu May Linck, of Mattoon, survive him. The deceased has also eleven brothers and sisters now living. Those who were present at the funeral services were: Mrs. Sarah Thompson, Crisman, Ill.; Mary C. Ashmore, Peoria; Thomas Ashmore, Crisman; Leroy Ashmore, Mattoon, and Mrs. Ada A. Lecka, Fairmount, Ill.

Brother Ashmore died in the triumph of that faith which had sustained him through all his religious life. Regaining consciousness just before the end came and hearing the strains of "Lead, Kindly Light" which were wafted into his room from a street-band below, he smiled a recognition to his sister and daughter, and of the truth so beautifully expressed in that immortal hymn of Bishop Newman.

The funeral services were held at Mattoon, Ill., Saturday afternoon, November 8, and were conducted by the writer, assisted by Rev. John H. Milholland, of Charleston, Ill. The interment was made in Dodge Grove Cemetery, Mattoon, Ill. The deceased was a good citizen, a loyal patriot, a brave soldier, and a faithful minister of the Gospel of Reconciliation.
     A. G. Bergen.
[Source: The Cumberland Presbyterian, November 26, 1908, page 703]