Mrs. Harriet Price Ayres 1837-1911

AYRES, PRICE, SAGE

Posted By: John Evan Davis (email)
Date: 11/14/2014 at 10:25:49

Ottumwa tri-weekly courier, January 31, 1911
EARLY RESIDENT CALLED BY DEATH MRS. HARRIET AYRES WAS ONE OF FIRST WHITE CHILDREN BORN IN IOWA.
From Monday's Daily. Mrs. Harriet Price Ayres, one of the first white children born in Iowa, passed away Sunday evening at 9:25 o'clock at the residence of her son, Harry Ayres, 344 North Marion Street. Her death marked the passing of one of the oldest residents of southeastern Iowa, she having resided continuously in this part of-the state since her birth seventy-three years ago. The deceased was born in Van Buren County near Winchester, September 18, 1837, being the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Price, who were among the first settlers in Bands of Indians roamed over Iowa when the deceased first saw the light of day in the settler's log house, and she had as her playmates, Indian children. During her lifetime she always delighted entertaining, the children by telling them Indian stories and about, her copper hued friends. She was married July 31, 1853, in Agency, to William Ayres. Mrs. Ayres resided in Agency up to three years ago, when she moved to Ottumwa. Since that time has been making her home with her son, Harry Ayres. Three children survive her, Charles C. Ayres. Harry Ayres and Mrs. Kitty Sage, all of Ottumwa. The funeral services will be held to¬morrow.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier, February 07, 1911

OBITUARY.
Harriet H. Ayres
Harriet H. Ayres was born in Van Buren county, Iowa, near Winchester, September 18, 1837. She was the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Price, who were the first white settlers of Van Buren County. July 31, 1853 she was united in marriage to William Ayres, who preceded her in death net quite two years. To this union were born eight, children, Mrs. Kittie Sage, Amasa J., Thaddeus, Nellie, Ella, Charles C., Harry L., and Gracie V., Thaddeus, Ella, Nellie, Amasa and Gracie having passed on before her. The deceased was sick but a week and three days and though her suffering was something terrible she was ever patient, always willing to do anything she was bidden and never once murmuring at anything. She was only conscious at times, scarcely ever knowing the three loved ones who were constantly by her. She was a kind neighbor and all who knew her loved her. Since the death of her companion, not quite two years ago she seemed to decline gradually and often said to her family "I shall not be here in the spring." Her husband told her, she would not survive him quite two years, and while racked with pain, she was heard to say, "It is almost two years now, as pa said it would be." She was a doting mother living in her children. Their joys were her joys their sorrows her sorrows: Mother Ayres has left us we shall see her kind face among us no more never again shall we be comforted by her sweet words of consolation, but on the other shore she will be waiting and watching for the coming of the phanton bark that will bring her three remaining loved ones to her, there to be again united in an unbroken family where there shall be no more good-byes, and where no farewell-tears are shed. "God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain for the former things are passed
away." —Contributed.