Leonard Ayers 1822-1900

AYERS, BAIRD, SPADE, BRADLEY

Posted By: Merllene Andre Bendixen (email)
Date: 6/25/2015 at 19:58:43

Leonard Ayers Is Dead
The End Came Last Friday, After a Long-continued Illness
Was a Highly Respected Citizen – Came to Kossuth in 1871 – The Funeral on Sunday
Leonard Ayers, who has been in gradually failing health for a number of years, died Friday morning, and was buried Sunday afternoon. The funeral was held at his late home south of town, Rev. Chipperfield officiating, and was conducted by the Algona Masonic lodge. A large gathering of old friends and neighbors was present to pay their respects and to follow the funeral cortege to the grave.

Mr. Ayers was one of those who came to Algona with the advent of the railroad 30 years ago. He came west with Alfred Bongey and bough his farm in Cresco in 1871. In later years he bought the lots on the Chubb road just south of town and has lived there 17 years. He was born in Easton, Pa., June 4, 1822, and was married in 1853 to Marian Baird, and in 1855 came to Michigan. Here he farmed until he moved to Algona. His wife and four children survive, the latter Mrs. A.D. Bradley, Mrs. Spade of Ohio, Clark Ayers of Estherville and Perry Ayers of Lake View. Mrs. Spade was unable to be present for the funeral but both sons came. Mrs. Spade will come soon and spend some weeks with her mother.

Mr. Ayers was a man respected by all who knew him. He was industrious and honest, reliable in business, a good citizen and a kind parent. He did not aspire to public position or to a conspicuous place in local affairs, but he was at one time a member of the county board of supervisors, and always took an active interest in politics and in questions of local government. (Algona Upper Des Moines, Algona, IA, March 21, 1900)

Mr. and Mrs. W.C. Ayers returned Thursday from Algona where they were called several days previous to attend the funeral of Mr. Ayers’ aged father. (Estherville Democrat, Estherville, IA, March 28, 1900)