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1907 Past and Present Biographies
William AyersThe last named resided with his parents until twenty years of age and attended the common schools as opportunity offered, but his educational advantages were quite meager. His training at farm labor, however, was not limited. When he had passed the first two decades of his life’s history he began working at the carpenter’s trade in Ohio, and in 1854 he came to Iowa, settling in Cedar county, where he followed carpentering until after the outbreak of the Civil war. It was on the 15th of August, 1862, that he responded to the country’s call for troops and enlisted in Company H of the Thirty-fifth Iowa Volunteer Infantry, of which he became sergeant. He served with that company until mustered out on the 5th of June, 1865, and was in most active duty, participating in the siege of Vicksburg and in the Red River campaign; in fact, he was in all of the engagements in which this regiment took part, and he has in his possession, as a valued memento of the Civil war, a rebel flag which bears the inscription, “Captured by Sergeant William Ayers at Henderson Hill, March 21, 1864.” He was twice promoted and was mustered out as second sergeant. Although often in the thickest of the fight he was never wounded nor taken prisoner. However, the hardships of army life left him with impaired health and the government now compensates him, in a measure, with a pension of twenty dollars per month. When the war was over Mr. Ayers returned to Cedar county, Iowa, where he resided until 1869, when he came to Greene county and settled on one hundred and sixty acres of wild prairie land, which he had purchased in 1864. He had arrived in Cedar county with only fifty cents in his pocket, but he was industrious and ambitious and secured employment on the following day. Seeing opportunity for investment in property, he soon after went in debt for land in Cedar county to the amount of two hundred dollars. He then worked diligently to discharge this financial obligation and, as stated, in 1869 he took up his abode upon a farm in Greene county. Here he built the first residence upon the place. It was in. the midst of a wild and uncultivated district, and he and his wife encountered all the hardships of pioneer life. Four children of the family were ill with whooping cough at one time, including their five-months-old baby. Difficulties of various kinds were encountered, but with strong purpose Mr. Ayers overcame all the obstacles in his path, and his farm soon showed the result of his hard work, capable management and systematic methods. He was a successful agriculturist and as the years went by met with a measure of prosperity which he justly merited. In 1899, setting aside further business cares he retired to Grand Junction. He now owns a farm of two hundred and thirty-three acres, all of which he made by hard work and careful management. Mr. Ayers was married in Ohio to Miss Catherine Shangle, who was born in Ohio and died at the age of twenty-two years, two years after their marriage. One child was born of this union. who is now Mrs. Alfred Brown, of Grand Junction. Mr. Ayers was married again in 1860, in Cedar county, Iowa, his second union being with Miss Isabelle Rankin, who was born in Canada, October 30, 1841, her parents being John and Esther (McBurney) Rankin, both of whom were natives of Ireland, whence they emigrated to Canada, while the year 1855 witnessed their arrival in Cedar county, Iowa. Later they came to Greene county, where the father died at the age of sixty-two years, while the mother’s death occurred in Harrison county, Iowa, when she had reached the age of sixty-two. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Ayers have been born eight children, of whom seven are now living: Elmer E. is a resident of California. He married Clara Kirby, who died leaving one child. William B., the second son, resides in Montana. He married Cora Davis, who passed away leaving five children, two of whom are now living with their grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Ayers. Frank O. wedded Lillian Boardman. and resides in Montana. Jennie is a resident of Jefferson. Walter wedded Lillian Thomson and is living in Sioux City, Iowa. Mary died at the age of ten years. Arthur W. is in Beatrice, Nebraska. Lottie May is the wife of Fred Egli, a farmer of Junction township, this county. Mr. Ayers has worked at carpentering to a considerable extent in connection with his farming operations. Now in his eighty-fifth year, he is rugged and healthy, and his wife is also enjoying good health. In politics he has been a republican since the organization of the party. His first vote was cast in 1844, when he supported the candidate of the abolition party, James G. Burney. He served for seven years as township trustee, being one of the first to hold this position in Junction township. He maintains pleasant relations with his old army comrades through his membership in H. O. Johnson post, No. 152, G. A. R., at Grand Junction. Throughout his entire life he has been as true and loyal to his country as when he followed the stars and stripes upon southern battle-fields. Today as one of the venerable citizens of the county and one of its most respected residents, he well deserves mention in this volume. |
Transcribed from "Past and Present of Greene County, Iowa Together With Biographical Sketches of Many of Its Prominent and Leading Citizens and Illustrious Dead," by E. B. Stillman assisted by an Advisory Board consisting of Paul E. Stillman, Gillum S. Toliver, Benjamin F. Osborn, Mahlon Head, P. A. Smith and Lee B. Kinsey, Chicago: The S. J. Clarke Publishing Company, 1907.  Site Terms, Conditions & Disclaimer |