ASHER & LEDBETTER

FROM: The History of Gallatin, Saline, Hamilton, Franklin, and Williamson Counties, Illinois (Chicago: Goodspeed Publishing Co., 1887).  P. 673

          Asher & Ledbetter, general merchants, McLeansboro, established their present firm in November, 1880, and have since successfully conducted it, carrying a large and well selected stock of staple and fancy goods, dry goods, clothing, shoes, hats, queensware, groceries, etc., and also handle a full line of wagons and plows, are agents for Blount's plows and wagons, with which they are having a large trade. They control a large share of city and county trade. John C. Asher was born in Crittenden County, Ky., December 11, 1850, the son of William W., and Narcissus (Nichols) Asher, both natives of Kentucky. He was reared in Kentucky, and graduated from the Evansville Business College. In 1874 he began the mercantile business in Claysville, Ky., and two years later in Union County, Ky. Since 1880 he has been engaged in his present business. June 5, 1877, he married Katie Ledbetter, a native of Providence, Ky. Their son is Virgil. Mr. Asher is a Democrat, and has been a member of the city council for two years. He is a member of the I. O. O. F., K. of P. and of the Baptist Church.  E. W. Ledbetter was born in Providence, Ky., March 2, 1860, the son of Wiley and Nannie (Payton) Ledbetter. Our subject was reared and educated in his native county. Since 1880 he engaged in his present business, they being brothers-in-law. He is a Democrat and a Knight of Pythias.