Julius Bolden Askew
1880-1912
Source: The Tacoma Daily Ledger, Tacoma, Washington
Tuesday, December 12, 1910, page 4
The Life of Julius B. Askew
Reverend Julius B. Askew, the subject of this review, in the exercise of the high functions of a Holy office has accomplished much in the uplifting of his fellow man and his influence is telling strongly for good wherever he goes. He is a man of ripe scholarship and high attainments and one to whom specific recognition should assuredly be made in this connection. As a minister of the Christian Church he is devoting his entire life to the work of instructing his fellow men concerning the teachings of Christ, and by example as well as precept he has disseminated the power of The Gospel unto salvation.
A native of Lauderdale County, Alabama, Julius Askew was born December 13, 1879, son of Bailiss Bolden Askew and Mamie Alexander, who are mentioned elsewhere in this volume. The paternal grandfather, Murrell Askew, was in early life a Baptist Minister and was regarded as one of the most eminent preachers of Tennessee and Alabama. For 20 years he was president of the Macedonia Baptist Association and was chosen chief speaker of the conventions, which assembled in Memphis, Tennessee. He lived at an age when ministers and laity as well believed that the power of the preacher was in his ability to make long speeches. Acting under this impression at one of the conventions in Memphis, he spoke for six hours and twenty minutes. Leaving the Baptist denomination he became a preacher of the Christian Church, after which there was at one time a complete conversion of a Baptist congregation of 400 members to the Christian Church under his guidance. The old settlers declared that no man ever lived in Northern Alabama who had a better memory than Murrell Askew. He came to the Indian Territory in 1881, believing that it was his duty to labor in this mission field. Before his death, which occurred four years later in 1884, there had been 53 active congregations, established. Governor Benjamin Overton, of the Chickasaw Nation, was one of his first converts to Christianity. The work which he instituted is being carried on by the different congregations, and thus the beneficent influence of his labors is yet felt as part of the echoes which roll from soul to soul and grow forever and forever.
When Julius Askew was only two years old, he was brought by his parents to Indian Territory and began his education there, his preliminary mental training being supplemented by study in the schools of Dawson and Waco and in the Nashville Bible School of Nashville, Tennessee, where he won the degree of Bachelor of Arts on his graduation in 1898. While in college he labored with the Church of Christ on Carroll Street, and while in Waco he engaged in preaching in the Edgefield Church of Christ. When in Dawson High School he worked in the Second Christian Church in Corsicana, Texas. Since his graduation, Mr. Askew has been actively engaged in evangelistic work in 16 different states, including Kentucky and Florida.
Many times flattering inducements have been held out to him to enter the legal profession, on such offer coming from the noted jurist and highly respected Judge Hayworth, who proposed to take him into partnership. He had in his early life some intention of becoming a member of the bar, but as he continued his studies he gave this up, having conscientious scruples against many of the practices of the courtroom. Having a high regard for and interest in the up building and amelioration of some existing conditions concerning the race with which he stands identified, he returned to Indian Territory and since has labored earnestly and indefatigably among the people of the Chickasaw Nation. On special occasions he has lectured on behalf of the Benevolent Societies in Texas the Territory, but this work has never supplanted his active labors in the Ministry, both as a preacher of the Gospel and as a friend to the Territory. He had never failed to express his views freely at any time and on any subject where the nations honor was at stake. He has always advised speedy actions concerning the measures enacted through the Dawes Commission to equalize the lands, in the meantime having due regard for the conservative faction of the race. Special efforts were made by him during the offered protest to prevent the national school system of the Indian Territory being turned over to two general supervisors. He suggested and explained the benefit that would accrue to Indians who inhabited the isolated districts who were not able to enter the organized schools and academes of their respective Nations, showing how the latter system provided for their tuition at the expense of the Nation in any school approved by the supervisor in charge to the amount of two dollars per month, thereby offering the widest possibilities in school advantages.
Julius Askew began to preach at the age of 17 and has since continued to proclaim the Gospel as opportunity has afforded and opportunity for such work is always open. He has permitted nothing to retard his progress and his labors have been attended with splendid results. He found the fields ready for the harvest and has not been denied the aftermath of his labors. He conducted a meeting in Northern Alabama, which lasted two months and ten day and resulted in 113 editions to the cause. Two congregations were established and the encouragement thus imparted to him and the inspiration, which he gathered there from, has never waned. He has held meeting since that time in Nashville, Waco and Corsicana and in some of the principal cites of the Indian Territory and his efforts have resulted in bringing many into the fold of the Good Shepherd. He is widely known as the "Indian Boy Preacher" and his own zeal in the work amounts to an inspiration to the people among whom he carried on his work. His fame has gone abroad, but this is a matter of little moment to Him, who counts it gain, only to labor in the cause of the Master, bringing the light of truth and salvation to his fellow men. He is a fluent, forceful and earnest talker and his deep undercurrent of feeling and the firm foundation of eternal truth upon which he bases his statement never fails to impress his hearers and often cries conviction to the minds of his auditors.
-Indian Territory: Descriptive Biographical and Geneological, Including The Landed Estates, County Seats Etc., Etc. With A General History Of The Territory, by D. C. Gideon, Lewis Publishing Company, New York And Chicago, c.1901, pages 557-559.
Note: This information was shared with the Editor in 04.14.2011 by Bill Webb, a descendant of J. B. Askew's grandfather, Murrell Askew. Further information shows that J. B. Askew passed at the young age of 32 after a ten day battle with smallpox. He died in Tacoma, Washington and was buried in the Tacoma Cemetery.
Report From R. W. Officer
Christian Leader, November 14, 1899, page 5
Gospel Advocate, March 23, 1899, p.181
Smooth Things
- Article by J. B. Askew in the Gospel Advocate
Gospel Advocate, Thursday, March 23, 1899
(Click on article to zoom in)
The Christian Evangelist, March 3, 1904, p.296
The Tacoma Daily Ledger, Tacoma, Washington
Tuesday, December 12, 1910, page 4
Petaluma Daily Morning Courier, Petaluma, California
Wednesday, September 7, 1904, p.1
The Tacoma Times, Tacoma, Washington
Wednesday, December 12, 1912, page 8
The Marietta Monitor, Marietta, Oklahoma
Friday, December 13, page 1
The Marietta Monitor, Marietta, Oklahoma
Friday, December 27, page 5
Directions To Grave
J.B. Askew was buried in the Tacoma Cemetery, Tacoma Washington. Unfortunately, actual location of the grave was not available when this page was produced.
GPS Location
47.21190,-122.47670
Julius B. Askew
1880-1912
From Find-A-Grave - Added by Taweret
Murrell Askew - Grandfather
Elizabeth Askew - Grandmother
Webpage Produced 03.08.2025
Courtesy Of Scott Harp
www.TheRestorationMovement.com