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Obituary
of Asa Martin STAMPER Macoupin County Illinois ©1999 Julie
Clark Close Name of Deceased: STAMPER, Asa, Martin Name of Newspaper: Date of Obituary: about July 1916 Obituary: Rev. Asa Martin STAMPER, son of Dillard and Margaret ROSS STAMPER, was born in Bradley County, Tenn., Nov. 5, 1837. He was the sixth child of a family of nine children. When he was about 13 years of age, he came with his fathers family to Illinois, of which state he has been a righteous citizen. He was married to Amanda Catherine DAVIDSON, Feb. 20, 1862 and of this union were born to them seven children, two sons and five daughters. He was converted in 1863, under the preaching of Rev. M. V. KITZMILLER, by whom he was baptized and he united with Sugar Creek Baptist Church. He was ordained to the gospel ministry by the Otter Creek Baptist church in 1877. The council was composed of Zachariah WATERS, Charles BUSH and others, some of whom are "land marks" of the faith and practice to which he has given a long life of faithful service. He preached his first sermon at Upper Grove school house, northwest of Virden about 50 years ago. He did his first baptizing 40 years ago in North Otter Creek near his late home. He has served many churches as pastor, and held many revival meetings and through his untiring work hundreds have been led to Christ. He led an exemplary life, faithful to his trust, loyal to the gospel of our Lord and unwavering in its faith. He has fought a good fight, he has kept the faith, and many shall arise and call him blessed. After an illness of ten days from a stroke of paralysis, he answered the call, "Come Ye Blessed of My Father" and passed from their home here to his Heavenly home, July 13, 1916, at 5:30 o'clock p.m., aged 78 years, eight months and eight days. He was preceded in death by his parents, three brothers, three sisters and one son, John Perry. He is survived by his faithful wife, Amanda C., one son, William Asa, five daughters Mrs. Mary A. JENKINS, Mrs. Lucretia HODGES, Mrs. Amanda BIVIN, North Otter; Mrs. Lorena (Emily Irena) CLARK, of Liberty Chapel, and Mrs. Modena RIGG of Cotter, Ark, one brother, Rev. James STAMPER of Herrick, one sister, Mrs. May E. GATES of Centralia, twenty-one grandchildren and seven great grand children, who with a host of other relatives and friends mourn their loss, but our loss is His eternal gain. The night never grew too dark, the weather nor roads to bad, but what Brother STAMPER would answer the call and go to assist in sickness or preach a funeral or lend assistance to his fellow beings in whatever way he could. He will not only be missed by the community, his church, but will be greatly missed by his family, as was their custom to meet at their home in annual family gatherings, but when they meet again in those family gatherings there will be a vacant chair. Funeral services were held at Union Chapel Saturday, at eleven a.m. conducted by Rev. Fred PRATT of Palmyra, assisted by Rev. R.J. WATTS of Girard, and interment in the last addition to Union Chapel Cemetery. There was an unusually large attendance at the services. The pall-bearers were Oren CRUMP, John HODGES, Owen BIVIN, Frank STAMPER, Estel CLARK and Paul STAMPER, all grandsons of the deceased. |