Husband of Rhodilla Jane Kesner Askren.
William Kendall Askren, son of Warren Kendall and Eliza Ballard Askren, was born in Crawford County near Turkey Ford, Indiana, on December 23, 1855. He was married to Rhodilla J. Kesner on April 25, 1880. To this union were born five sons and six daughters, of who three sons, Joseph, Andrew and Charles, preceded him in death. Surviving are the six daughters; Mrs. Belle Fisher, of Steam Corner; Mrs. Pearl Allen, of Kingman; Mrs. Mary Tooker, of Veedersburg; Mrs. John Morgan, of Silverwood; Mrs. Mamie Allen and Mrs. Goldie Flowers, of Marshall, Ill.; two sons, Ottie Askren, of Danville, Ill., and John Askren of Blackwell, Oklahoma.
The greater part of his life was spent in Indiana, moving from Harrison County, Indiana, to Parke County in 1894, to the John Lusk farm on Sugar Creek. From there he went to Tennessee with his family, living on a farm until their return to Indiana in 1900, where they resided near Harveysburg. When the wife and mother died and was buried at Harveysburg, he was left with four very small children, John just a few hours old when the mother left him and he was mother and father both to them and kept them all at home for 12 lonely years. Then he went to Guthrie, Oklahoma, where he was again united in marriage, to Lidda Belle Shoemaker in 1914. He came back to Indiana, staying one year then returned to Oklahoma for awhile, spending many happy years together down there. In 1930 he returned to Indiana to live among his children. His second wife proved to be a loving and kind stepmother and was received with much love and respect by all the Askren children and their families. We were again cast into sorrow by her passing on April 12, 1931.
During his life time he was known as a righteous man, a kind neighbor and a friend to all. His many friends and loved ones throughout the state bear witness to his kindness. All his life since a boy of 16 years he had been a faithful member of the United Brethren church, always ready to do his part, anywhere he was.
William Askren had been in failing health for the past few years, gradually declining until his death at the home of his daughter, Susie Allen, on the 9th day of November 1933, at the age of 77 years, 10 months and 17 days The deceased leaves to mourn his passing the 8 children, 21 grandchildren, and 4 great grandchildren; 3 brothers, Charles Askren, of Corydon, Indiana, Dan Askren, of Owensville, Indiana, and John Askren, of Lawrenceburg, Illinois; one sister, Mrs. Mary Jones, of English, Indiana.
Funeral services were conducted November 11, in the United Brethren church at Cates, the sermon being delivered by J. C. Shrigley, the pastor, and Charles Sackmire, of Kingman, having charge of the funeral.



Tombstone Photo provided by the Veedersburg Genealogy Society and special Thanks to Ed Moyer etal.