For more than a half century Peter L. Ayres has made his home within the borders of Cedar county, where he was born, and his continuance therein is proof of the fact that he has found it a most attractive and desirable place of residence. His appreciation of the value of its lands as a matter of investment is also attested in the fact that he is today the owner of more than eight hundred acres of valuable property, constituting him one of the extensive landowners of his section of the county.
It was on the 27th of February, 1857, that he first opened his eyes to the light of day, his parents being David and Mary Ann (Walter) Ayres. The father, who was born in York county, Pennsylvania, in July, 1821, came to Cedar county in 1854, locating in Sugar Creek township, and here he engaged in general farming and stock-raising for many years. His first purchase made him the owner of a farm of eighty acres, and that he prospered in his agriculture pursuits is indicated by the fact that later he was able to add to his original purchase, becoming the owner from time to time of first a forty-acre farm, then two eighty-acre tracts, two one hundred and sixty-acre farms and finally forty acres of valuable and productive property. A part of this land Mr. Ayres leased, but the greater portion he operated in connection with his sons. He was a republican in politics, served as school director for years and was treasurer of White Pigeon independent school district. Outside of this, however, he filled no public offices, being too busily engaged with his business interests to figure in public life. He was well known, however, and the Ayres family was one of the most prominent of the early pioneer families of Cedar county, the town of Ayresville in Farmington township being named in their honor. In religious faith Mr. Ayres was a member of the Church of God.
He was married in Pennsylvania in 1840 to Miss Mary Ann Walter, who was born in the Keystone state, where her parents spent their entire lives. Unto this union were born eleven children, seven sons and four daughters, six of whom still survive, as follows: L. N., who resides in Wilton, Iowa; Mrs. Elizabeth Ford, of Sugar Creek township, Cedar county; Mrs. Amanda Kenaston, of Butte, Nebraska; H. B., also of Wilton, Iowa; Peter L., of this review; and Mrs. Marietta McCrosky, who lives in Center township, Cedar county. The mother of this family still survives and makes her home on the old homestead farm. She has reached the remarkable old age of ninety-one years, her birth having occurred in Venango county, Pennsylvania, in September, 1819.
The period of his boyhood and youth was spent by Peter L. Ayres in the usual manner of the country lad, the summer seasons being devoted to the work of the home farm, while in the winter months he attended the district school in the acquirement of an education. He remained at home until twenty-three years of age, and then for three years he rented one of his father’s farms. At the expiration of that period he purchased eighty acres in Inland township, on which he now lives. He confined his efforts to the operation of this farm for seven years, and then purchased the adjoining eighty acres, which he worked in connection with his original farm, and at various times he bought additional land until today an excellent property, consisting of eight hundred acres of farm land and twenty-five acres of timber land, all in Cedar county, stands as the visible evidence of his industry, perseverance and thrift. For several years he was engaged in general farming—years characterized by unceasing labor, close application and well directed efforts, which qualities found their reward in constantly increasing prosperity until, in 1897, he was able to retire from active business life in the possession of a goodly competence. He continues to make his home on his farm of one hundred and sixty acres in Inland township and gives his attention chiefly to the management of his farming interests. He is numbered among the large landowners of his section of the county, and his extensive property holdings are a source of most gratifying annual income.
It was on the 5th of February, 1880, that Mr. Ayres was united in marriage to Miss Mary A. Daut, a daughter of Peter and Rose (Snell) Daut, early settlers of Cedar county. Her father was born in Germany in 1822 and when a young man he came to the United States, settling in Pennsylvania, where he was married to Rose Snell, also a native of Germany. After his marriage he ran a bakery for a few years in St. Louis, Missouri, but removed to Cedar county, Iowa, in 1853, and farmed for many years in Sugar Creek township. His death occurred in May, 1903, and the mother of Mrs. Ayres passed away in March, 1900. They were the parents of ten children.
With the passing years the home of Mr. and Mrs. Ayres was blessed with four children but only three are now living. Lena Lenora, the first born, was killed by a kick from a horse at the age of thirteen years, four months and nine days. The surviving members are: Cora, the wife of H. C. Myer, of Center township; Lula, who wedded Rudolph Sebelien, of Farmington township; and Tarry Viola, residing at home.
The parents are members of the Church of God, the teachings of which form the guiding influence of their lives, and in politics Mr. Ayres is a republican in national matters. Where local questions are at issue, however, he casts an independent ballot, believing that men best equipped for the responsibilities of the office should serve regardless of their party affiliation. His influence is at all times given on the side of the most desirable measures, and he is ever interested in that which works for the betterment and advancement of the community. Having spent his entire life in Cedar county, his record is well known to the residents of his locality, who honor him no less for his excellent traits of character than for the substantial success which he has attained in agricultural lines.
